• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Barangay Tangub is a million-peso-plus richer after it bagged the championship in this year’s MassKara Festival arena and street-dance competition barangay category, and a slew of special awards during the awarding ceremony Oct. 19 at the Bacolod public plaza.
Choreographed by Joedem Casabuena and Mark Philip Lamirez, with Christopher John Puerta as mask and costume designer, the Tangub contingent won P1 million in cash prize as champion, P20,000 each from DITO Telecom and Mang Inasal, P10,000 from Negros Power, and P20,000 as second placer in the Merrymaking contest.
It also took home the Best in Mask and Costume, Best in Music, Best in Theme/Concept, and Most Disciplined Contingent special awards.
Tangub’s “The Evolving Spirit of MassKara” performance honored 46 years of MassKara’s evolution — blending music, dance, and culture that mirror Bacolod’s growth and resilience, the Gugma Foundation said. “Their performance celebrates the city’s unyielding spirit of unity, care, and joy for the community.”
Barangay Bata won P500,000 in cash prize as first runner-up, as well as P10,000 from DITO, and P10,000 as third placer in the Merrymaking contest, and the Best in Introduction special award.
With Ronelo Mabilog as choreographer, mask and costume designer, Bata’s performance celebrated its journey from a humble, hardworking community to a united and thriving barangay.
Barangay 29 claimed the second runner-up spot and P300,000 in cash prize, as well as P5,000 from DITO, P20,000 as Merrymaking contest first placer, and the champion in community dance.
With Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar Jr. as choreographer, mask and costume designer, the contingent’s “Sidlak” performance embodied the true spirit of MassKara: love, peace, and resilience that continue to shine bright in every Bacolodnon’s heart.
The rest of the contingents also gave their all, from the arena showdown at Paglaum Sports Complex to street-dance performances in judging sites, all the way to the plaza, amid the cheers of spectators.
These include Barangay Handumanan, with Ed Bryan Gonzales as choreographer and Heinrich Joy Tabara as mask and costume designer; Brgy. 21, with Rusty Panagsagan Marsado as choreographer, mask and costume designer; Brgy. 39, with Emil June “Tata” Bantolo as choreographer, mask and costume designer;
Barangay 6, with Ramgie Pasilan as choreographer, and Christian Joed Custodio as designer; Brgy. 13, with Mark Anthony Tronggoy as choreographer, mask and costume designer; Brgy. 11, with Joery Derla as choreographer, mask and costume designer; and Brgy. 7, with Romel Murillo as choreographer, mask and costume designer.
Mayor Greg Gasataya thanked the Gugma Foundation, the sponsors, the barangays and schools, the volunteers, and all those who helped in the successful staging of this year’s world-renowned festival.
Festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon also expressed his pride and gratitude to the participating contingents and the enduring MassKara spirit.
“MassKara has always been more than just a festival—it is a reflection of Bacolod’s soul,” Ascalon said in a statement. “Rain or shine, our people continue to smile, create, and celebrate life together. This is the true essence of Gugma, and the heart of every Bacolodnon.” | CGC
