• THERESA MAE DULMAN
After a 16-year-hiatus, Barangay Taculing came back stronger and bagged more than P1 million in prizes after being named champion of the 2026 MassKara Festival street and arena dance competition barangay category, and winning several special awards Oct. 18.
The delegation was named Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Music, and Best in Introduction, each with P50,000 in cash prize, and P20,000 worth of products as Pocari Sweat awardee.
It also received the SM Choice Award worth P60,000, cash prize of P5,000 as second runner-up in the merry-making contest, and P10,000 in gift certificates from Robinsons.
“We are thankful to those who trusted and supported our barangay since most of our expenses came from sponsorship,” punong barangay Lady Gles Pallen said at the awarding ceremony, noting that they spent at least P3 million for the competition.
Barangay Mandalagan took home P500,000 in cash prize as first runner-up, and P50,000 for Best in Mask and Costume.
Barangay Handumanan bagged the second runner-up honors and P300,000 in cash prize, as well as P80,000 as Casino Plus Choice awardee.
Barangay Bata was the Most Disciplined among the eight competing contingents, and earned P50,000. Alangilan received P15,000 as first place in the merry-making mini-dance showdown at the plaza, and P10,000 for Barangay 6 as first runner-up.
“Congratulations to all the barangays who joined. In this year’s MassKara, we concentrated more on the people. Everyone was given the chance to showcase whatever they have,” Mayor Greg Gasataya said. “We are also thankful to those who came and became part of MassKara 2026.”
The competition brought together eight barangays in a celebration of creativity, cultural expression, and community pride – Bata, Alangilan, 10, Handumanan, 13, 6, Taculing, and Mandalagan, the organizer said.
Bacolod Gugma Foundation president and festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to all the supporters for the successful staging of the 47th MassKara Festival.
“When the devil works hard, our prayers work harder,” Ascalon said, following a flood-free venue front of SM City Bacolod, where the arena dance showdown for both the school and barangay categories were held for the first time in the history of the festival. | TMD
