MassKara 2023 music “not danceable”

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Participating groups in the 2023 MassKara Festival can remix the official festival music to suit their own beat and choreography.

This was the reaction of Mate Espina, public relations of Bacolod Yuhom Foundation Inc. which is managing the festival.

Espina issued the statement following feedback, especially on social media, on the supposed slow or sad beat of the official music.

The official music of this year’s MassKara Festival together with the logo was relaunched over the weekend in a press conference.

Both were first presented Wednesday together during a sponsors’ night sans the presence of the media in a hotel here.

Several reporters who were at the press conference openly aired their criticism of the MassKara music describing it as “luya, subo, kalaw-ay (slow, sad, ugly) and not danceable.”

Comments on the music posted on social media also generated similar comments.

Some said that last year’s music by popular singer Dareen Espanto was better because it was livelier.

Espina said participating groups in the MassKara street-dancing competition will have to remix the music as part of the contest.

Ten barangays will be participating in this year’s MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition in Bacolod City in October 2023, the highlight of the 44th edition of the MassKara Festival to be handled by the BYFI.

These are Barangays Granada, Sum-ag, Tangub, 34, Vista Alegre, Mansilingan, Cabug, 40, Handumanan, and 21.

Espina said they will be giving a subsidy of P750,000 to each participating barangay, which is higher compared to P500,000 given last year, with P300,000 coming from the foundation and P200,000 from the city government.

There are also 10 entries to the Masskara Elektrika Diva and Electric Float Parade and Competition. These are Barangays 5, 32, 18, Felisa, 14, Bata, 19, 24, Singcang and 12, she said

“The subsidy for this event will be P300,000 per participating barangay. However, we may also have corporate floats as some establishments have already signified their interest to join the magical Electric MassKara but they will not be part of the competition,” Espina said.

This year’s MassKara festival is slated for October 6-23, 2023.