Barangay Estefania named MassKara street dance champion

BARANGAY Estefania was declared as champion in the street and arena dance competition and bagged two special awards during the 40th MassKara Festival highlights at the Bacolod public plaza on Sunday, October 27.

The barangay, along with choreographers Joedem Casabuena, Mark Philip Lamirez and Romnick Rafael, was also named Best in Concept and Choreography and bested 13 other barangays. They received P250,000 in cash, a trophy, and P10,000 for each special awards.

Despite heavy rains, thousands of MassKara revelers stayed at the public plaza to witness the performances of the 14 barangay participants.

Barangay Tangub, the defending champion, was the first runner-up and won Best in Original Music, Costume and Mask. They received P175,000 in cash and a trophy.

Barangay 16 was named second runner-up, followed by Barangay Banago as third runner-up and Barangay Bata as fourth runner-up.

This was declared by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia during the awarding rites.

Since it was the Ruby year, Leonardia saw the need to significantly increase the prizes as the city's way of honoring the heroes of Bacolod -- artists, dancers, and choreographers, among others -- who gave their effort and time to deliver the best edition of the MassKara festival.

Other participating barangays were Barangays 40, 5, Handumanan, 3, 32, 39, 6, 4, Bata, Banago, 12, and 16.

The mayor also thanked everyone for taking part in the resounding success of the festival from October 7 to 27.

Although it was the rainiest MassKara festival, he was happy to say it to the people to "never mind the bad weather as long as we are together. I could say that we have made it through the rain."

Despite the weather, everything went well as the performers showed how they were driven to perform.

The Korean Pop group, despite heavy rains, also performed and enjoyed the activity at the Bacolod public plaza.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who witnessed the performances of the barangay participants, said he was impressed on the cooperation of the Bacolodnons in celebrating the MassKara Festival.

"I have never seen a place where a family, including their children and their babies, go together. And that means, you people are happy and united people," he said.

Leonardia stressed that this year's MassKara festival was like no other.