By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Thirty barangays in Bacolod City are expected to compete during the return of the MassKara Festival in October of this year.
As of Friday, August 5, 16 barangays will participate in the street and arena dance competition and 14 in the Electric MassKara float competition.
The competitors also include champions Barangays Estefania and Granada.
This year’s MassKara Festival is expected to be the biggest after a two-year hiatus brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unlike other fiestas in the country held in honor of their respective patron saints, MassKara Festival is different as this event celebrates the Bacolodnon’s tenacity in conquering hardships such as COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers led by festival director Pinky Mirano-Ocampo are promising “a new super charged, high-energy and spectacular MassKara Festival 2022” on October 1 to 23, with the theme “Balik Yuhum.”
“Yuhum” is the Hiligaynon term for smile, and the theme has reference to Bacolod’s tag as the “City of Smiles,” home of the world-renowned festival.
“A new season of celebration in Bacolod City will begin in October,” organizers said with the release of the festival’s official logo and theme.
Other events included in the festivities thus far are the MassKara Queen pageant, Mr. Bacolod bodybuilding and fitness competition, MassKara hip-hop dance challenge, as well as sporting events like chess, volleyball, and football tournaments. (With a report from PNA)/DGB, WDJ