• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. (BGFI) announced Aug. 19 that the official launching of MassKara Festival 2026 is set for the first week of September, when the new venue for the arena dance competition will be formally revealed.
Preparations began following the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Mayor Greg Gasataya and festival director Rodney Ascalon Aug. 19 at the mayor’s office.
The Paglaum Sports Complex was ruled out due to safety concerns while the Bacolod plaza was also excluded because of limited space and ongoing renovations, although it will still host the awarding ceremony.
“Controlling the crowd may pose a challenge considering the national government’s investment in the rehabilitation of the plaza. It is still part of the venue but the challenge there is the bleachers,” Gasataya said.
What is important is that the MassKara will still be in the downtown area,” he added.
Pre-MassKara activities will run from Oct. 1 to 8 while the main 10-day highlights will follow from Oct. 9 to 18.
Activities will still be held at the plaza, Bacolod Government Center, and the Lacson Tourism Strip.
The street dancing parade will still be at Araneta Street and will take place before the arena competition.
Candidates for the Miss Bacolod MassKara will also be representing the barangays.
“The theme this year is ‘Share the smile, celebrate Gugma’. Share the smile, because we want to continue the events that keep the community and the Bacolodnon smiling, (like) sectoral (and) brgy. events; and Gugma, because we wanted to present the passion and love of the Bacolodnons,” Ascalon said.
This marks the second consecutive year that the BGFI will organize the MassKara Festival following their takeover in 2025. | TMD
