MassKara dancers return to Hong Kong parade

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — About 40 MassKara Festival dancers from Bacolod arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday to perform at the 2026 Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade and Float Display Stage today, February 17.

The Bacolod City Tourism Office accompanied the dancers from Barangay Tangub, who are set to showcase their vibrant, colorful Mardi Gras-inspired costumes and smiles in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 as the city welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse.

Tourism Officer Teresa Manalili, head of the delegation, said the Hong Kong Tourism Board covered travel and accommodations, while the local government provided logistical support and allowances.

Barangay Tangub, led by Capt. Noli Villarosa, was declared grand champion in the 46th MassKara Festival Street Dance and Arena Competition in Bacolod in October 2025.

The City Tourism Office said the MassKara dancers will represent Bacolod and the Philippines as one of the international performing groups set to light up Hong Kong with color, culture and celebration.

“We are truly grateful to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for the warm invitation and for featuring our performers,” the office said in a Facebook post.

It is the second time the MassKara dancers have performed in the same event after their first appearance in 2024, joined by dancers from Barangay Granada.

Before the Hong Kong trip, the MassKara dancers also performed during the Sinulog Festival parade in Cebu City on Jan. 18.

In 2024, MassKara dancers from Barangay Sum-ag performed at the Lantern Festival in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.

In 2023, dancers from Barangay Sum-ag and Barangay Granada performed at the Busan International Dance Festival in Busan, South Korea, and, for the first time in New York, during the 125th Philippine Independence Anniversary Commemoration Parade on Madison Avenue, respectively.