Granada wins P1M as MassKara Street Dance and Arena champ

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Barangay Granada here took home the P1 million cash prize after retainin the crown in the MassKara Street Dance and Arena competition here last Sunday.

Mentored by Jeodem Casabuena, the barangay also received special awards such as Best in Music, Most Disciplined Contingent, and PauPau’s (Food Panda) Choice.

The barangay was the grand slam winner in the said competition in 2014, 2015, and 2016 under Casabuena’s supervision.

Barangay Captain Alfredo Talimodao lauded the MassKara dancers for putting their best effort in the competition.

“Indeed, Barangay Granada is home of the champions,” Talimodao said.

Talimodao said they started preparing for the competition in August, as they held an audition and workshop for the dancers.

He said the choreographers submitted the program of works amounting to P1.4 million, excluding the dance drama.

They received a P500,000 subsidy from the city government and Balik Yuhum Foundation Inc.

The barangay-based team has more than 200 members.

Talimodao said they will first discuss how to use the cash prize, especially for the dancers.

Meanwhile, Barangay Sum-ag landed on first runner-up and received P500,000 cash and a trophy. They were also awarded with Best in Mask and Costume designed by Segundo Jesus Cabalcar Jr.

Barangay Estefania, which won in 2019, placed second runner-up in the competition, and awarded with Best in Theme and Concept. They received P300,000 and a trophy.

Barangay 35 received P250,000 and a trophy as third runner-up, while Barangay Singcang-Airport received P150,000 and a trophy as fourth runner-up.

Barangay Tangub placed fifth runner-up in the competition and received P50,000.

The sixth-runner up was Barangay 31 which received P30,000, while Barangay Alangilan won P20,000 after landing on seventh runner-up.

Barangay Alijis won the Best in Introduction plum.

Barangays with special awards received P25,000 each.

All 17 participating barangays also received P10,000 medical assistance from STI-West Negros University, which was the official tabulator during the competition.

The five judges in the competition were Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Pops Fernandez, and Derek Ramsay.

During the closing program, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez thanked everyone and the Bacolodnons for supporting the festivity, which returned this year after it was suspended for two years due to the pandemic.

Electric MassKara

Meanwhile, Barangay 17 was hailed as champion in the Electric MassKara Float and Dance-off competition at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Oct. 22.

The barangay took home P300,000 and P20,000 for winning the best float during the parade at the Megaworld’s The Upper East.

The first runner-up was Barangay 25 that took home P200,000 and Barangay 32 placed second runner-up to bring home P150,000.

The judges were Tim Yap, Hayden Kho, Dr. Vicky Belo, Alodia Gosiengfiao, and Maricris Zobel.