The MassKaralympics 2025 will open as a centerpiece side event in this year’s MassKara Festival, with 28 sporting competitions that will showcase the prowess of barangay representatives, local athletes, and national icons.
Billed as a “festival within the festival”, the MassKaralympics highlights a wide range of sports, including the 1st Mayor Greg Gasataya MassKara Volleyball Cup, the 4th MassKara Tchoukball Tournament, the MassKaRun, Bike, and Zumba, the 1st Mayor Greg Gasataya MassKara Pickleball Tournament, and the 1st MassKara 3×3 Basketball Tournament.
Among the top five highlights are the 1st Mayor Greg Gasataya MassKara Football Cup, the 1st MassKara Volleyball Cup, and the much-anticipated “Legends Rise: MassKara Gugma All-Star Exhibition Game”, featuring some of the country’s most celebrated basketball heroes under the Gilas Legends banner.
The Gilas Legends—a roster of players who once carried the country’s colors in international competition—headline this year’s tournament. Fans can expect to see iconic names, such as Marc Pingris, Dondon Hontiveros, Gary David, Jeff Chan, Arwind Santos, Ranidel De Ocampo, Cyrus Baguio, Willie Miller, Ryan Reyes, and Asi Taulava.
Other events will add variety and excitement to the lineup, including the BMX and Skateboard competitions, featuring rising talents, such as Motic Panugalinog and Guetler Mariano, as well as the City of Smiles International Marathon.
Competitions will be staged in key venues across the city, such as the USLS Coliseum, Montalbo Gym, Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Bacolod Skate Park, and the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.
Festival director Rodney Ascalon said in a press release Sept. 17 that MassKaralympics underscores Bacolod’s commitment to both sports and inclusivity. “It’s not just about competition; it’s about celebrating community, unity, and the enduring Bacolodnon spirit of resilience and joy.”
With barangay athletes standing shoulder-to-shoulder with national legends, MassKaralympics 2025 aims to strengthen its place as one of the most awaited features of the MassKara Festival. ||
