Bacolod: This highly-urbanized city’s public plaza will once again become the center of the world-renowned MassKara Festival from October 1 to 19. Previously, the arena dance competition followed the street dance along the major thoroughfares on the final day of the festival.
According to Philippines News Agency, festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon announced a change in this year’s sequence of performances. The events will now commence with the arena showdown at Paglaum Sports Complex. “What’s new for this year is, we will flip it. The showdown will begin at Paglaum. After that, for the street dance, the performers will make their way to the plaza, where all the barangays will have a grand performance. We will announce the winners there,” Ascalon said in a press briefing with Mayor Greg Gasataya at Bacolod City Government Center on Monday.
Ascalon explained that the new format aims to create a more immersive experience for both performers and spectators, as well as to draw more foot traffic to the plaza. This is expected to boost support for vendors and entrepreneurs operating in the area. Other confirmed festival sites include the Bacolod City Government Center grounds and Lacson Street, which will be utilized during the festival highlights from October 17 to 19.
As president of the festival organizer Bacolod Gugma Foundation, Ascalon mentioned that they will limit the number of barangay contingents to 15, while seven districts will compete in the elementary schools category. Meanwhile, Mayor Gasataya highlighted that the Bacolod Gugma Foundation has “vowed to honor the roots of the MassKara Festival while opening new doors for artistic collaboration and community pride.”
“We will have a three-day highlight and we came up with something new. This time, we need to thank the people of Bacolod who participated without the pressure of the celebration. I suggested to them, if we can have an after-party on the 26th,” Gasataya added. He further stated that the Bacolod Gugma Foundation assured the city government of full transparency and accountability, promotion of local talent, global positioning, inclusive collaboration, and long-term growth of the festival.
