Patricia Homes Elementary School was the champion in the inter-school drum and lyre corps competition, elementary category, and Handumanan National High School in the secondary level, and each bagged P40,000 in cash prize, Oct. 12, at the Bacolod public plaza.
Performers from ETCS II were first runner-up, and won P30,000, while Corazon Locsin Montelibano Elementary School was second runner-up and received P20,000.
Special awards in the elementary category were, Most Disciplined School: Corazon Locsin Montelibano ES, Best in Music: ETCS II, Best in Choreography: Patricia Homes ES, Best in Band Uniform: Corazon Locsin Montelibano ES, and Best in Parade: Patricia Homes ES.
In the high school category, Handumanan NHS was trailed by Luisa Medel NHS as first runner-up, P30,000, and Bata NHS, second runner-up, with a P20,000 prize.
The Handumanan NHS contingent also bagged the Most Disciplined, Best in Music, Best in Uniform, and Best in Parade special awards, while Best in Choreography was Luisa Medel NHS.
Eight elementary schools and four high schools participated in the contest, each bringing their best performance and representing the pride of their communities.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed his joy over the return of school-based competitions to the festival.
“After a long time, we have finally brought back the school competitions to MassKara,” he said in a press release yesterday. “MassKara is truly for everyone—children, youth, and the elderly. What matters most is that everyone gets to participate and be happy.”
The mayor said the event represented unity, inclusivity, and pride among Bacolodnons.
The competition celebrated not only musical excellence but also the teamwork, discipline, and creativity of Bacolod’s young performers, truly reflecting the vibrant and festive spirit of MassKara Festival 2025, the organizer said. ||
