By CESAR JOLITO III
Despite the rainy weather, Estefania Elementary School secured the grand title in the MassKara Festival 2025 Arena and Street Dance Competition – School Category on Saturday afternoon, October 18, marking their second consecutive win since the last competition in 2019.
Their performance, entitled “Dancing in the Rain, Through a Child’s Eye,” transformed the city streets into a vibrant playground.
Estefania Elementary School will take home P750,000 cash prize.
Under the direction of Jodette Maghari and Teacher Jackylyn Montes, the young dancers captured the resilience and joy of children who find happiness even during a storm.
“Estefania danced not just for Bacolod,” a festival host noted, “but for every child whose smile brightens the storm.”
This year’s competition began with arena performances at the Paglaum Sports Complex before the contingents brought their performances to the streets.
Paglaum Village Elementary School was 1st runner-up, taking home a P300,000 cash prize, while Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School was 2nd runner-up with P200,000 in cash.
Other minor awards were:
* Best in Community Dance — Paglaum Village Elementary School
* Most Disciplined Contingent — Paglaum Village Elementary School
* Best in Theme and Concept — Estefania Elementary School
* Best in Music — Estefania Elementary School
* Best in Mask and Costume — Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School
* Best in Introduction Video — Paglaum Village Elementary School
All participating contingents received P150,000 each as a participation incentive.
Resilience
During his speech at the Bacolod Public Plaza, Mayor Greg Gasataya praised the young dancers for their resilience and spirit.
“That’s part of our resilience because we are not in control of the climate,” Gasataya said.
“What we can do is to make preparations to support the participants. Despite it all, if you look at the children — they are willing to adapt to the situation. That’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Festival Director Rodney Ascalon mentioned that the format change aimed to create a more engaging showcase of both arena and street performances.
“We wanted to give equal spotlight to both parts of the competition,” Ascalon explained.
“By starting at the Paglaum Sports Complex, we allowed the contingents to perform their full routines before carrying that same excitement into the streets for everyone to enjoy,” he added.
Teacher Jackylyn Montes, a trainer from Luis Hervias National High School and one of the key figures behind the choreography, shared that the division decided to entrust the creative process to teachers this year.
“Before, schools would get outside choreographers. But this time, the division decided why not let teachers — who already know MassKara — take the lead in teaching?” Montes said.
She emphasized that the performance’s success was due to the collaboration between teachers, parents and students.
“It’s overwhelming,” she said.
“The parents and teachers were all willing to help — even providing food and support every day. Everyone was very welcoming, like one big family. That made it easier for us to guide the children,” Montes said./CJ, WDJ