Mandalagan Elementary, BCNHS win MassKara 2026 dance titles

BACOLOD CITY — Mandalagan Elementary School and Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS) emerged as champions in their respective categories as the MassKara Festival Street Dance and Arena Competition welcomed back school contingents for its 47th edition.

The awarding ceremony, led by Mayor Greg Gasataya and corporate sponsors, was held at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Festival dancers performed along the route from Paglaum Stadium to Rizal Street at the SM City Bacolod grounds, the competition’s new arena venue.

Mandalagan Elementary School, headed by Principal Mary Grace Mallen, captured the elementary championship and received PHP 750,000 after outperforming six other participating schools.

The school also dominated the special awards, winning Best in Mask and Costume, Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Introduction, and Best in Music.

Each special award carried a PHP 30,000 cash prize, bringing the school’s winnings from these four distinctions to PHP 120,000.

Mandalagan Elementary School also received the Kapuso Choice Award worth PHP 15,000, the Pocari Sweat Choice Award with PHP 20,000 worth of products, the Mang Inasal Unli Husay Award worth PHP 20,000, and the SM Choice Award worth PHP 20,000.

The winning contingent was guided by choreographer Mark Philip Lamirez and mask and costume designer Christopher John Puerta.

Its dance masters were Ed Cervales, Ion Mangao, John Mark Pastolero and Leonel Dula, while Mytha Rafael served as school coordinator.

Sum-ag Elementary School finished first runner-up and received PHP 300,000, while Montevista Elementary School placed second runner-up with PHP 200,000.

Handumanan Elementary School I received PHP 30,000 after winning the Most Disciplined Contingent award.

In the Merry Making competition presented by DITO Telecommunity, Mandalagan Elementary School also claimed the championship.

The school received PHP 15,000 from DITO and four brand-new mobile phones courtesy of Globe.

Sum-ag Elementary School placed second in the category and received PHP 10,000, while Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School finished third with PHP 5,000.

Seven elementary schools participated in the competition, including Education and Training Center School II, Vista Alegre Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.

BCNHS dominates high school competition

Meanwhile, Bacolod City National High School captured the high school championship after outperforming three other competing schools.

BCNHS received PHP 790,000 in cash prizes comprising PHP 750,000 in championship winnings, PHP 20,000 from Mang Inasal and PHP 20,000 from SM City Bacolod.

The school also received PHP 20,000 worth of products from Pocari Sweat.

BCNHS further distinguished itself by winning Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Introduction, and Most Disciplined Contingent.

Each special award came with PHP 30,000, giving the school an additional PHP 90,000 in cash prizes.

The school also received the Sunsilk Zero-Lagas Energy Award, which carried another PHP 20,000.

The winning contingent was led by choreographer Lorijun Dela Torre Porinas and mask and costume designer Joenel Buenaventura.

The school is headed by Principal Richard Gelangre, with Jelly Perez serving as coordinator and Rufalyn Chan as co-coordinator.

BCNHS also topped the Merry Making High School Category, earning PHP 15,000 from DITO and four mobile phones from Globe.

ABKASA National High School won Best in Mask and Costume, receiving PHP 30,000.

It also placed second in the Merry Making competition and received PHP 10,000 from DITO.

Progreso Village National High School captured the Best in Music award, which carried PHP 30,000.

The school also finished third in the Merry Making category, receiving PHP 5,000 from DITO, and earned the Kapuso Choice Award worth PHP 15,000.

Jovito Sayson National High School completed the four-school lineup in the high school category.

The street dance competition was judged by Dr. Carlou Gana-an Bernaldez, Elric Matillano Batilaran, Joseph Alexis Cadeliña, Victor Hao Cuenco and Dr. March Mandal.

Judges for the arena competition were Francisco Cerbo Jr., Mhike Jelord Rollo, Dr. Angel Bisaga Jr., Catherine Vestil, Steven Jacosalem and Jeremy Teo Rondovio.

Homer Bacalso served as chairman of the Board of Judges.

The competition brought together student performers, choreographers, teachers and school communities under the festival theme “Share the Smile. Celebrate Gugma” and the “MassKara for All” campaign.

The return of the school categories provided young performers with an opportunity to showcase their creativity, teamwork and interpretations of Bacolod’s cultural identity.

Barangay Tangub wins Electric MassKara championship

Barangay Tangub emerged as champion of the 2026 Electric MassKara competition on Friday, Oct. 16, after outperforming six other barangay contingents.

The winning barangay received PHP 350,000 from Megaworld’s The Upper East and 30 canister sets from Regasco.

Barangay Tangub, which showcased its community festival, also won Best Float and Best in Music.

Each distinction carried a PHP 10,000 cash prize sponsored by DITO Telecommunity.

The competition featured barangay contingents presenting festival themes inspired by their respective communities, turning the parade into a showcase of local traditions, creativity and friendly competition.

Revelers witnessed the participating barangays bring their festival identities, cultural stories and community pride to the streets of Bacolod City.

The Electric MassKara and Mega Float Parade traveled from Megaworld’s The Upper East to the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).

The parade featured illuminated floats and performances highlighting the distinct cultural identities of the participating barangays.

Barangay 17, which presented its Dinaguso Festival theme, finished first runner-up and received PHP 200,000 from Casino Plus.

The barangay also won Best in Mask and Costume, Best Electric King and Queen, and Best in Choreography.

Each of the three special awards carried PHP 10,000 sponsored by DITO.

Barangay 12 showcased themes inspired by chicken inasal and San Juan, securing second runner-up honors and PHP 150,000 from Casino Plus.

Other participating barangays highlighted their respective community celebrations.

Barangay 21 featured Plazuela de Bacolod, while Barangay 19 presented its Flower Festival theme.

Barangay 14 showcased the Pamukadkad Festival.

The competition placed barangay pride at the center of the celebration, with each contingent drawing on its cultural traditions and collective efforts to represent its community before residents and visitors.

Seven sponsor floats also joined the parade, adding to the evening’s colorful presentations.

The participating sponsors were Regasco, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, Palawan Pawnshop, McDonald’s, Chooks-to-Go, Bioderm and Casino Plus.

Their participation highlighted the support of private-sector partners for the festival and its community-centered activities.

Festival Director Rodney Ascalon said Electric MassKara was more than a competition featuring illuminated floats and elaborate performances.

“It is a celebration of the people, traditions, and collective effort behind every entry, reflecting how each barangay contributes to the identity of Bacolod and brings meaning to our theme, ‘Share the Smile, Celebrate Gugma,” he added.

Ascalon said the “MassKara for All” campaign aims to provide every barangay with an opportunity to share its story, showcase its culture and celebrate the traditions that make its community unique.

The initiative reflects the festival’s emphasis on inclusive participation, recognizing the contributions of communities, performers and organizers in sustaining Bacolod’s annual celebration of culture and creativity.