First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has thrown her full support to several charity and civic activities during Bacolod City's month-long 43rd MassKara Festival culminating this weekend.

The President's wife was set to grace with her presence the "Masskarade Ball: A Charity Dinner" at the SMX Convention Center in SM City Bacolod last night. The event will benefit the H.O.P.E.
Foundation's "Operation Smile" medical mission.

Mrs. Araneta-Marcos is also expected to attend the tree-planting activity at the Megaworld's Upper East township on Sunday, 23 October.

For the last day of this year's festival, she would attend the MassKara arena dance competition at the Paglaum Sports Complex in the afternoon.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier disclosed that he has personally extended the invitation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First Family.

"I have personally invited the President and the First Lady and their family. Mayor Javier has also invited his close friend, Congressman Sandro," he said.

The MassKara Festival is celebrated every October in the city of Bacolod. It showcases the smiling faces of the masks, thus the city has been dubbed the "City of Smiles."

Tourism is one of the priority sectors of the Marcos administration, with the President noting the "abundance of opportunities" that the tourism sector creates.

He vowed to boost the local tourism industry by improving roads as well as rehabilitating airports and seaports so tourists will have easier access to travel destinations.

The President on Friday urged Filipinos from across the country to join Bacolod's famed festival.

"I welcome all the programs prepared by the organizers and invite people from across the country to join in, explore unique places in the city, and meet new people along the way, as they may fill the great and urgent need to uplift our dispositions at this crucial time," the President said.

Marcos expressed hope that this year's festival "will bring out the best in each of us, and bind us together for a renewed sense of purpose."

He pointed out that the world-renowned festival was conceived to counter the despondency brought about by the challenges of the time.

"Today, as we find ourselves facing a similar dilemma, let this year's festivity resonate ever so deeply and find even greater meaning in its joyful observance," he said.

"May the vivid colors and smiles so common and abundant during the festivities serve as declarations of resilience, even as we tackle our deepest concerns and overcome our greatest hurdles,
especially now that we are steadily gaining grounds on the difficult task of nation-building," he added.

The President is expected to grace the culmination of the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City with the First Family, but Malacañang has yet to confirm their attendance.