By CESAR JOLITO III

Ten barangays and seven elementary schools will compete in the highly anticipated 46th MassKara Festival dance competitions on October 18 and 19 at the Paglaum Sports Complex and Bacolod Public Plaza, organizers confirmed yesterday.

Bacolod Gugma Foundation director Rodney Ascalon said the school-based competition will open the festivities on October 18 with performances from Don Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Andres Bonifacio Elementary School II, Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School, Estefania Elementary School, Education and Training Center School I, and Paglaum Village Elementary School.

On October 19, the barangay category follows, featuring contingents from Barangays Handumanan, Tangub, Bata, 6, 7, 11, 13, 21, 29, and 39.

Ascalon said this year’s format reverses the traditional order of events.

“We are flipping the traditional format,” he said.

Instead of beginning with street dancing, groups will first showcase their full routines in arena-style performances at the Paglaum Sports Complex before heading to the streets for the parade and culminating at the Bacolod Public Plaza for the announcement of winners.

“Starting in the arena gives contingents the chance to perform at their peak, while the street parade carries the same high energy for the public to enjoy,” Ascalon said.

Earlier, the city government had allocated subsidies of P750,000 for each participating barangay and P500,000 for each school, which must be liquidated to ensure transparency and accountability.

Preparations at the Paglaum Sports Complex are already underway with support from the provincial government.

The MassKara Festival, widely known as the “festival of smiles,” is one of Bacolod City’s biggest annual attractions, drawing thousands of visitors for its mix of music, dance, and community pride./CJ, WDJ