By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. (BGFI) reported a combined P17.06 million in total food park sales from two primary sites — the Bacolod City Public Plaza and the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Grounds — during the recently concluded 46th MassKara Festival.
The BGFI said the public plaza led in overall sales, generating P11.87 million from October 1 to 19.
Of this, grilling stalls brought in the highest revenue at P8.82 million, reflecting Bacolodnons’ and tourists’ strong preference for grilled street food, particularly during nighttime festivities.
Notably, the final week of the festival — October 11 to 19 — accounted for over P5.8 million in grilling sales alone, indicating a sharp increase in consumer activity leading into the highlight events.
Meanwhile, food carts earned P2 million, and dry goods vendors earned P1.03 million, showing that non-food offerings still attracted consistent interest across the three-week celebration.
The public plaza housed a total of 79 vendors, including 29 grilling kiosk operators, 20 food cart vendors, and 30 dry goods sellers.
These figures highlight how the plaza remains not only a cultural centerpiece but also a thriving marketplace, providing economic opportunities for microentrepreneurs, family-run businesses and seasonal sellers who often rely on MassKara for their biggest income period of the year.
On the BCGC Grounds, declared sales reached P5.19 million, with grilling again leading the charge at P4.79 million.
The most lucrative period at BCGC was also during the highlight week from October 15 to 19, when sales from grilling kiosks alone exceeded P2 million.
Food carts at the BCGC contributed an additional P396,415, with steady increases as foot traffic intensified during nightly programs and family activities.
Although no specific sales data was submitted for dry goods at BCGC, vendor presence was significant, with 26 dry goods concessionaires participating alongside 20 grilling kiosks and 12 food cart vendors, totaling 58 entrepreneurs at the site.
In comparing both locations, the public plaza outperformed BCGC largely due to its central location, longer operating hours, and heavier foot traffic during MassKara’s main events.
However, the BCGC site proved valuable for offering a more spacious, family-oriented experience, with strong engagement particularly during the final stretch of the festival.
Festival Director and BGFI President Rodney Mitz Ascalon emphasized that the sales figures represent more than just commercial success.
“Each peso earned tells a story of community resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural pride,” Ascalon shared.
“This year, MassKara lived up to its promise of inclusivity. We didn’t just fill the streets with smiles — we filled homes with income and hope,” he added.
In total, more than 130 small and medium-sized vendors benefited directly from the festival food parks, underscoring MassKara’s dual identity as both a celebration of culture and a powerful economic platform.
The P17 million in recorded sales does not yet include income from other festival zones, roaming vendors, or unofficial stalls — suggesting that the broader financial impact may be significantly higher./CJ, WDJ