• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A 50 feet x 50 feet “Megaworld Smiles” banner, the biggest, so far, in Bacolod City, was unveiled Oct. 14 at The Upper East township, in line with the ongoing MassKara Festival celebration.
Megaworld has unveiled the banner, hanging on the facade of Two Regis and covering about five floors of the corporation’s residential condo development since The Upper East is one of the main venues for the MassKara Festival highlight events, including the electric MassKara float parade on Oct. 21.
The banner serves as a perfect backdrop for MassKara tourists taking their selfies and groufies in The Upper East, the property giant said in a press release, adding that “Megaworld Smiles” mirrors the energy and the excitement that the company “has been pouring into the City as it joins Bacoleños in celebrating the vibrant way of life in Bacolod”.
MassKara Festival 2023 chairperson Jojie Dingcong, who spoke during the unveiling, thanked Megaworld for being a consistent partner of the local government in its bid to push Bacolod as a super city.
Dingcong said he hopes that The Upper East will continue to be an “anchor space, a safe and fun space”, and that Megaworld will help develop Bacolod as a mini-Singapore.
He said Mayor Alfredo Benitez wants to sustain the gains from the MassKara Festival so that the growth of tourism, and of the hotel and restaurant economy will continue.
“So subong pa lang, we are already planning small quarterly events because we really have to sustain all the gains we’ve achieved, and I hope that Megaworld, the whole business community, and the people of Bacolod will support the effort and vision of the mayor,” he added.
Megaworld assured that beyond the MassKara Festival, The Upper East will continue to take shape as the modern central business district of Bacolod, as part of the company’s commitment to help the LGU fulfill its vision of truly becoming a “super city”.
It said that before this year ends, the construction of the 12-storey Kingsford Hotel Bacolod will start.
“Offering almost 300 room keys, it is poised to become Bacolod’s biggest and most iconic hotel, to date, that will feature a variety of upgraded facilities and amenities, including a wider choice of room categories and several food and beverage outlets,” Megaworld said, adding that Kingsford Hotel Bacolod will be strategically located between the four residential condominium towers of One Regis, Two Regis, One Manhattan, and Herald Parksuites.
Last month, Megaworld announced the construction of its fifth residential condominium development inside The Upper East – the 26-storey, two-tower Kensington Sky Garden – envisioned to become another iconic landmark that will redefine Bacolod’s growing skyline as both towers will be highlighted by illuminated crowns that dazzle at night.
The construction of the Upper East Mall, to be operated by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, will begin next year. It is envisioned to become Bacolod’s new architectural landmark as it will showcase a blend of neo-classical and art deco architecture, and will cover 24,200 square meters of gross floor area, the company added. | CGC
