Bacolod brought the highlight weekend of MassKara Festival 2026 to a jubilant close yesterday, Oct. 18, as the barangay street and arena dance competitions drew thousands of spectators to the reclamation area, between SM City Bacolod’s north and south wings.
The two-day showcase of elaborate costumes, vibrant masks, music, and choreography reaffirmed the street dance and arena competitions as the heart of MassKara, bringing together performers and supporters from schools and barangays across the city.
Mayor Greg Gasataya welcomed the festive turnout and the enthusiasm surrounding this year’s celebration, recognizing the dedication of participating schools and barangays, and the efforts of organizers, festival partners, and Bacolodnons, who helped make MassKara 2026 a success.
Yesterday’s excitement culminated in Barangay Taculing’s victory as grand champion of the barangay street dance and arena competition, with prizes totaling P1.24 million in cash, gift certificates, and products.
Taculing claimed the P1 million grand prize and three special awards: Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Music, and Best in Introduction, each worth P50,000. The contingent also received the SM Choice Award worth P60,000, a P10,000 Robinsons gift certificate, and P20,000 worth of Pocari Sweat products.
Barangay Mandalagan placed first runner-up and received P500,000, while Barangay Handumanan finished second runner-up with P300,000. Mandalagan also won Best in Mask and Costume, Barangay Bata was named Most Disciplined Contingent, and Handumanan received the MassKara Street Dance Champion: Casino Choice Award.
Eight barangays competed in the showdown: Bata, Alangilan, 10, Handumanan, 13, 6, Taculing, and Mandalagan. The winners were recognized during the awarding ceremony at the Bacolod public plaza.
The barangay competition followed Saturday’s school divisions, where Mandalagan Elementary School won the elementary championship, and Bacolod City National High School topped the high school category.
Behind the performances were weeks of preparation by dancers, choreographers, musicians, costume makers, teachers, barangay officials, and community volunteers, whose combined efforts brought each contingent’s presentation to life.
Festival director Rodney Ascalon praised the arena’s layout and arrangements, noting that the performance space gave dancers room to execute their routines while allowing organizers to manage the sequence of presentations smoothly. The setting also provided a strong visual backdrop for the contingents’ costumes and choreography.
Beyond the main arena, LED screens positioned around the venue allowed more festivalgoers to follow the performances. With the competition grounds adjoining SM City Bacolod, spectators also had convenient access to nearby dining, refreshments, and other amenities throughout the weekend.
Organized by the Bacolod city government and Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., MassKara 2026 featured cultural presentations, entertainment, and community activities at several locations across the city.
The street dance and arena competitions, however, remained the festival’s centerpiece, drawing the celebration back to the performances and community participation that have long defined MassKara.
With the champions crowned and the final routines completed, Bacolod closed its biggest festival weekend on a high note, celebrating the talent of its performers and the shared pride of a city that continues to make MassKara its own. ||
