Thousands flock to Bacolod for MassKara street dancing competitions

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Thousands of residents and tourists filled the streets of Bacolod over the weekend as dancers in colorful costumes and the festival’s signature smiling masks brought the 2026 MassKara Festival street dancing and arena competitions to life.

The festivities culminated in performances at the SM City Bacolod grounds, where competing contingents showcased elaborate choreography, vibrant costumes and intricate masks.

Eight barangays competed in the festival’s main street dancing and arena competition on Sunday, Oct. 18, with results still pending as of press time.

In Saturday’s elementary school competition, Mandalagan Elementary School emerged as grand champion, taking home the P750,000 top prize during the awarding ceremony at the Bacolod City Public Plaza on Oct. 17.

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The school bested six other contingents: Sum-ag Elementary School, Education and Training Center School II, Handumanan Elementary School I, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School and Montevista Elementary School.

Mandalagan also dominated the special awards, winning Best in Mask and Costume, Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Introduction, and Best in Music, each carrying a P30,000 cash prize.

It also received the P15,000 Kapuso Choice Award, P20,000 each from Mang Inasal and SM City Bacolod, and P20,000 worth of Pocari Sweat products.

The school topped the elementary Merry Making competition, earning another P15,000 from DITO Telecommunity and four mobile phones from Globe.

Sum-ag Elementary School finished first runner-up, winning P300,000, and placed second in Merry Making for an additional P10,000.

Montevista Elementary School took second runner-up honors and P200,000, while Handumanan Elementary School I received P30,000 as the Most Disciplined Contingent.

Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School placed third in Merry Making, earning P5,000.

High school competition

Bacolod City National High School dominated the high school division, winning the P750,000 grand championship prize and several special awards.

The school defeated ABKASA National High School, Jovito Sayson National High School and Progreso Village National High School.

It won Best in Theme and Concept, Best in Introduction, and Most Disciplined Contingent, each worth P30,000.

The school also received P20,000 each from Mang Inasal and SM City Bacolod, the P20,000 Sunsilk Zero-Lagas Energy Award, and P20,000 worth of Pocari Sweat products.

It likewise topped the high school Merry Making competition, earning P15,000 from DITO Telecommunity and four mobile phones from Globe.

ABKASA National High School won Best in Mask and Costume, worth P30,000, and placed second in Merry Making, receiving P10,000.

Progreso Village National High School received P30,000 for Best in Music, P15,000 for the Kapuso Choice Award, and P5,000 for finishing third in Merry Making. /cb