Negros Occidental (3 October) -- Bacolod City, with its world famous Masskara Festival, has been invited to join the International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (IMACO), Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia disclosed

IMACO, a worldwide cultural group is headed by Andong City Mayor Kim Whi-dong who was met by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia in his recent trip to South Korea. Leonardia forged a tripartite sister-city relationship with Singaraja City, Indonesia represented by Mayor Made Arga Pynatih and Andong City represented by Mayor Whi-dong. The Bacolod Mayor is optimistic that the sister city agreement will further promote Masskara Festival as an international tourist attraction. A meeting was also made with Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz and Tourism Attaché Maricon Ebron, as facilitated by Consul Juan Dayang Jr., on the much bigger participation of Bacolod's Masskara Festival to Andong Maskdance Festival next year as incidentally, it will be the 60th anniversary of the country's diplomatic relations with South Korea next year. The mayor noted that the Philippine Embassy in South Korea is a staunch supporter of the Masskara Festival as the embassy displays a big billboard of the festival that dominates the embassy lobby. A group of Masskara dancers who went with the mayor also attended the 2008 Andong Maskdance Festival. This festival, which celebrated its 12th year, was participated by various countries whose festivals are highlighted by street dancing with mask-wearing dancers. Bacolod Tourism senior officer Butch Gerasmo, who was with the mayor, spoke at the World Mask and Culture Symposium. Bacolod City showcased the Masskara Festival with the performance by 10 Masskara street dancers from Barangay Alijis who were last year's winner in the Masskara's street dancing competition. Bacolod's Masskara Festival has repeatedly represented the country in some major festivals in Asia, notably in Singapore, Hongkong and in Shanghai, China where it drew the attention of international media. The Masskara Festival also won the championship in the foreign category of the Midosuji Festival Parade of Osaka, Japan. (CMO/PIA)