From October 1 to October 19, nineteen joyful days, Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, demonstrated its resilience and showcased the MassKara spirit. Despite the challenges, the streets were alive with tourists, music, food, and pure happiness, a testament to the city’s indomitable spirit.
Under the leadership of Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., led by its President and Festival Director, Rodney Mitz Ascalon, and with full support from Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya and the Bacolod City Council, this year’s celebration promoted inclusivity and warmth. They made sure that every Bacolodnon felt included, making it a true celebration of unity and diversity.
One Smile One City One Heart in motion.
The opening day was a grand spectacle, with lots of activities unfolding at the Bacolod Public Plaza and the Bacolod Government Center Grounds. The air was charged with excitement as a sea of people, numbering in the thousands, gathered for the kickoff. Mayor Greg Gasataya and Rodney Mitz Ascalon, in a joyful ceremony, officially inaugurated the 46th MassKara Festival, promising an unprecedented level of inclusivity for this year’s celebration.
The first week reflected the city’s creative pulse, from art exhibits to mask-making contests and trade fairs. What made this year different was the Gugma Foundation’s mission to include everyone. Tricycle drivers, vendors, PWDs, the LGBTQ community, athletes, pet lovers, singers, dancers, and more all had events dedicated to them. It was Bacolod’s way of saying that unity is the city’s greatest strength.
Miss Bacolod MassKara 2025 is a Beauty with a purpose.
The Miss Bacolod MassKara 2025 pageant was one of the most anticipated events of the festival and a testament to the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit. This event brought together young and beautiful Bacolodnons to showcase their intelligence, talent, and compassion.
The crowning of Sophia Kaye Zaragoza as the winner was a moment of immense pride and joy for the entire city. Sophia, a student at the University of St. La Salle taking up Tourism Management and a proud resident of Barangay Estefania, symbolizes the spirit of Bacolod. When she joined the previous pageant, she did not make it.
This year, she returned stronger and more determined. Sophia’s journey became a story of persistence and grace after winning several special awards, such as Miss Photogenic, Best in Festival Costume, and the Legacy Media Award. Her message during the Q&A touched hearts as she spoke about ensuring MassKara remains inclusive for every Bacolodnon, regardless of background or ability.
When the rain poured, the children smiled.
For me, the MassKara Schools Street Dance Competition really showed the theme of resilience. On that day, there was a typhoon; the skies opened up and the rain poured nonstop. Yet, the performers, all elementary students, danced their hearts out. Soaked costumes, heavy masks and props, and slippery streets did not stop these young dancers from giving their best. Instead of lowering the mood, the rain boosted their energy, leaving the audience in awe of their determination and spirit.
Parents and spectators were deeply moved by the children’s performance, which was filled with joy despite the challenging weather conditions. Estefania Elementary School was crowned Grand Champion with their performance titled “Dancing in the Rain Through a Child’s Eye”, a powerful message that ‘Joy is not dependent on sunshine, but on the spirit within. Mayor Greg Gasataya, in his speech at the Bacolod Public Plaza, commended the children for exemplifying the true spirit of Bacolod resilience. Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon, President of Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., echoed this sentiment in his interview with GMA’s 24 Oras, stating, “We are teaching the new generation of Bacolodnons to be resilient.”
Singing, dancing, and the sound of Bacolod.
Music filled the air at the festival. The grand finals of SingKara, The Voice of Bacolod, were held at the Public Plaza after several elimination rounds. It was once again a favorite among the crowd. And this year’s champion is Hannah Grace Espadon from Barangay Vista Alegre. With her passionate voice and heartfelt performance, she captivated the hearts of the judges and earned loud applause from the audience.
Meanwhile, MassRakrakan energized the city with local bands and indie artists, highlighting Bacolod’s growing music scene. It showed that the MassKara Festival is not only about dance but also about music, the heartbeat of the City of Smiles.
The Glow of Lights and the Flavor of Bacolod.
The streets of Megaworld’s Upper East sparkle with color when the Electric MassKara Float Parade starts. You can see that each float from Barangay participants reflects creativity and local pride.
Barangay Mansilingan emerged victorious at the Electric MassKara Float Parade with their float titled “Cakes of Bacolod.” Their creation was a vibrant celebration of the city’s love for desserts and its reputation for serving some of the best cakes in the country. The float, with its bright colors, fun designs, and striking details, resembled a giant dessert in motion. It was a visual spectacle that not only celebrated Bacolod’s love for desserts but also its creativity, artistry, and enthusiasm for life. Mansilingan’s victory in both the float and dance performance categories was a testament to their talent and the city’s rich artistic heritage.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions was the MassKaNamit Food Fair at the Upper East. This food event highlighted Bacolod’s rich culinary culture and is a haven for food lovers. From the famous Bacolod chicken inasal to the sweet piaya and handmade desserts, the fair provided a tempting selection of local dishes.
The Bolante sa Plaza returns local vendors to the public Plaza. The vendors, known as bolante, turned the Plaza into a vibrant market square by filling it with their stalls. They sell local delicacies, home-cooked meals, handmade crafts, and everyday essentials. This event showcases Bacolod’s culinary heritage.
Sports culture and community connection.
MassKara 2025 was not just about entertainment. It also focused on movement and teamwork. The MassKaralympics included nearly thirty sports events that brought together athletes from different barangays. From marathons and volleyball games to pickleball and basketball tournaments, Bacolod demonstrated that sportsmanship is as vital to its identity as its smiles.
These events showcased the strong community spirit that defines the MassKara Festival, making everyone feel a sense of belonging.
Inclusion and compassion are at the heart of Gugma Foundation.
Under the direction of Rodney Mitz Ascalon, the Gugma Foundation made sure that no one was left out of the festivities. The foundation launched special programs for every sector. PuWeDe G honored PWD entrepreneurs and artists. MassKareyna celebrated transgender beauty and pride. Tricycle drivers had their own TODA Pageant and float contest while pet owners joined PETSKARA—a fun day of costumes and furry smiles.
Mayor Greg Gasataya praised these efforts for turning the festival into a reflection of Bacolod’s compassion. “This is how a city should celebrate. With unity, respect, and joy that reaches every person,” he said during his closing remarks.
Art heritage and creativity on display.
The artistry behind MassKara is flourishing, with local artists and mask makers, such as Jojo Vito, continuing to share their skills through exhibits and workshops. He also held a Mask Painting activity at the SM Store from October 17 to 19, with many tourists participating.
The Mask Painting Competition, organized by the Bacolod Gugma Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with the Art Association of Bacolod-Negros (AABN), brought together 75 budding artists from 29 barangays and Bacolod City College. And the Grand Champion is Mariel May Magbanua from Barangay Singcang Airport.
The 1st MassKara Mask Higantes Competition was introduced this year, bringing new energy to the tradition. These giant moving mask sculptures added to the creative effort to celebrate the city’s artistic heritage and inspire younger generations to carry on the legacy of craftsmanship.
Highlights that define MassKara 2025.
From the MassKarambola impersonation show to the glamorous MassKarade Ball, every night had something to offer.
A three-night giant street party at Lacson Street from October 17 to 19 became one of the biggest highlights of the festival. Live bands, DJs, and Bacolod’s famous food stalls transformed the main thoroughfare into one long stretch of music, lights, and laughter that drew thousands of merrymakers from all over the country.
The Barangay Arena and Street Dance Competition reached its peak when Barangay Tangub was crowned Grand Champion with a breathtaking performance celebrating forty-six years of MassKara history.
The presence of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the finals highlighted the festival’s growing national recognition and its reputation as one of the Philippines’ most vibrant celebrations.
The heart of Bacolod keeps smiling.
As the lights dimmed and the music faded, one truth became clear. The MassKara Festival is not just an annual event. It tells the story of a city that smiles through every challenge and finds beauty in each trial. It reflects Bacolod’s heartbeat, strong and steady, fueled by its people and their endless love.
MassKara Festival 2025 will be remembered as the year when the rain fell, but the smiles never disappeared. It was a celebration of courage, unity, and love. Once again, it showed why Bacolod will always be known as the City of Smiles.