BACOLOD City — Barangay Tangub and Estefania Elementary School (EES) emerged as the grand champions in this year’s MassKara Festival arena and street dance competitions.
Despite intermittent rains, particularly during the school category competition on October 18, young performers and barangay contingents pressed on with spirited performances — from the arena showdown at the Paglaum Sports Complex to the colorful street dance leading to the Bacolod Public Plaza, where the winners were announced.
According to the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. (BGFI), this year’s festival organizer, “The show goes on — for the children, for the community, and for the unstoppable spirit of MassKara!”
Barangay category champion Tangub and school category grand winner Estefania Elementary School took home P1 million and P750,000, respectively, along with trophies.
Also for the barangay category, Barangay Bata was declared first runner-up, receiving P500,000, while Barangay 29 secured the second runner-up spot with a cash prize of P300,000.
Meanwhile, in the school category, Paglaum Village Elementary School earned the first runner-up title and received P300,000, followed by Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School (ALLES) as second runner-up, taking home P200,000.
Ten barangays participated in this year’s competition, including Handumanan, 21, 39, Tangub, 6, 29, Bata, 13, 11, and 7. While the participating schools were Don Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Andres Bonifacio Elementary School II, and Education and Training Center School I (ETCS I).
Mayor Greg G. Gasataya announced that the prizes and subsidies will be increased for next year’s festival, noting the city’s commitment to supporting local talents and performers.
This year, the city government granted P750,000 in subsidies to each participating barangay and P500,000 to each participating school.
In his message to the performers, Mayor Gasataya praised their resilience and passion:
“Know this — your efforts will never be taken for granted. We see your sacrifice, we feel the weight you carry, and we stand with you as a people who know the strength it takes beneath that mask.”
He also lauded them for embodying the festival’s legacy: “In the smiles that bloom in others because of your performances, you honor the ones who first put on a mask when the city was grieving. Today, you do the same — choosing joy even when it hurts, and choosing pride even when the weight feels too much.”
Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco graced the MassKara Festival on October 19, alongside Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez. Mayor Gasataya, together with city officials, also joined the festivities both at the Paglaum Sports Complex and the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Meanwhile, in the Electric MassKara Float Parade held on October 17, Barangay Mansilingan claimed the championship title with their float entry, “Cakes of Bacolod.” The barangay received P350,000 and special awards for Best Float, Best Mask and Costume, and Best Music, each worth P10,000.
Barangay 12 and Barangay Granada were named first and second runners-up, taking home P200,000 and P150,000, respectively.
The 2025 MassKara Festival once again proved that even through rain and challenges, the smiles and spirit of Bacolod continue to shine the brightest./PN