23 February 2015 – Bacolod City’s MassKara represented the Philippines at the 2015 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on February 19 in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong SAR to usher in the Year of the Goat/Sheep. This was the first time that the Philippines had been invited to perform in the 20-year history of the annual parade.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras were among the guests present to witness the historic event. Both Secretaries spoke with the performers before the parade to congratulate and encourage them to give their best as their contribution to the strengthening of friendly relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong.

With the theme “Sweet 20 World Party,” the event was witnessed by approximately 150,000 people lined up around the parade route, which began from the Cultural Centre grounds and traversed through Canton Road, Haiphong Road, and Nathan Road. Millions more watched the parade live on television.

Aside from the Philippines, performing groups were also invited from France, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, St. Lucia, Taiwan, and the United States.

Started in 1980 as a festival meant to lift the spirits of Negrenses affected by the collapse of sugar prices and the sinking of a ferry that claimed many lives, the MassKara, a festival of smiles featuring the smiling masks worn by its dancers, has come to symbolize the perseverance and eventual triumph from adversity of Filipinos.

Philippine participation to the 2015 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade is part of the efforts by the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Consulate General to promote Visit the Philippines Year 2015 to encourage more Hong Kong tourists to visit the country. END