Barangay Taculing wins MassKara street dance title after 16 years

BACOLOD CITY — After 16 years, Barangay Taculing clinched the championship title in the barangay category of this year’s MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition, taking home the PHP 1 million grand prize on Sunday, the last day of the celebration.

Romnick Rafael choreographed the dance, with Mark Philip Lamirez as artistic director. Joenel Bueventura and Christopher John Puerta designed the mask and costume.

Aside from the grand prize, the village received a PHP 10,000 Robinsons gift certificate and the SM Choice Award worth PHP 60,000.

The barangay also earned the Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Music, and Best in Introduction awards, each carrying a PHP 50,000 cash prize, and the Pocari Sweat Choice Award, consisting of PHP 20,000 worth of products.

In a media interview after the awarding ceremony at the Bacolod public plaza, Barangay Taculing Captain Gles Gonzales recognized the dancers, propsmen, working staff, choreographers, designers, and the whole production team for their talent and effort in winning this year’s title.

“Thank you for your hard work despite the pressure. After 16 long years, this is now our victory,” she said.

Gonzales also thanked the sponsors who believed in the barangay’s capabilities and potential, and she acknowledged financial challenges in the preparations.

“Without them, we would not have done this,” she said.

She said the cash prize will be divided among the dancers and the whole team behind the barangay’s success.

Lamirez also choreographed Mandalagan Elementary School, the grand champion in the elementary level of this year’s street dance and arena competition on Saturday. Puerta served as its mask and costume designer.

Barangay Mandalagan, headed by Barangay Captain Paul Anieve, secured first runner-up and received PHP 500,000. It also took home the Best in Mask and Costume award, worth PHP 50,000, for its creative presentation.

Lance Andrey Escarilla and John Louie Barredo choreographed the dance. Jodette Maghari and Renith Torres handled costume design, and Vincent Escalona designed the mask.

Barangay Handumanan, headed by Barangay Captain Ma. Febe Legaspi, placed second runner-up with a PHP 300,000 cash prize. It also received the Casino Choice Award worth PHP 80,000.

Stephen Tana was the village’s choreographer and mask designer, with Miel Anthony Britania Dag-ay as costume designer.

Barangay Bata was named the Most Disciplined Contingent and received PHP 50,000.

The celebration also featured the Merry Making Mini Dance Showdown 2026, presented by Casino Plus.

Barangay Alangilan claimed the championship and won PHP 15,000. Barangay 6 followed as first runner-up with PHP 10,000, and Barangay Taculing was second runner-up with PHP 5,000.

The street dance competition was judged by Dr. Angel Bisaga Jr., Lemuel Rosos, Dr. Michael Dax Barlaan, Joseph Delos Reyes, and Mhike Jelord Rollo, who chaired the board of judges.

The arena competition was judged by Victor Hao Cuenco, Dr. Carlou Gana-an Bernaldez, Elric Matillano Batilaran, Catherine Vestil, Joseph Alexis Cadeliña, Francisco Cerbo Jr., and Roj Tirona, with Harold Quibete as chairman of the board of judges.

The competition brought together eight barangays in a celebration of creativity, cultural expression, and community pride. The other participants were Barangays 10, 13, and 6.

Despite the rain, the dancers performed street dancing from Paglaum toward Rizal Street at the SM City Bacolod grounds, the new venue of the arena competition.

Barangay Tangub, last year’s grand champion, did not join the competition this year.

The 47th edition of the MassKara Festival culminated on Sunday after an 18-day celebration.

The festival began in 1980 to lift the spirits of Bacolod residents during a crisis in the city’s sugar industry and after the sinking of the passenger ferry MV Don Juan that year. Its name combines “mass,” meaning many, and the Spanish word for “face.”