19 hours ago
3
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
BACOLOD CITY — The MassKara Festival 2025 was officially launched on Saturday, Sept. 13, with organizers highlighting the event’s focus on inclusivity and community participation.
The 19-day celebration beginning on Oct. 1 promises to be the most people-centered and community-driven edition yet, Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon said.
“This is a legacy that comes once in a lifetime,” said Ascalon, crediting the dedication of the KaGugma Workforce for making the vision possible.
The launch featured a short program showcasing various community sectors, followed by a formal introduction of the Gugma Foundation Board, Department Heads, and event organizers expected to work together in a show of collaborative spirit behind the festival.
MASSKARA 2025 LAUNCH Representatives from various sectors and stakeholders and supporters gather in one fiesta-like atmosphere at the Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center in Bacolod City on Sept. 13, 2025, during the grand launching of the MassKara Festival 2025 which, according to the organizing Gugma Foundation Board, promises to focus on inclusivity and community participation. PHOTO COURTESY OF GUGMA FOUNDATION
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Among this year’s key sectoral events are special programs honoring persons with disabilities (PWDs), market vendors, tricycle drivers, senior citizens, and grassroots singers and dancers.
These events highlight the diverse faces that make up Bacolod’s vibrant community.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, a former participant in the festival’s street dance competition, reflected on how MassKara continues to shape Bacolod’s identity and inspire new generations.
“The festival remains a significant part of our city’s culture,” Gasataya noted.
The official theme song unveiled during the launching event is “One Smile, One City, One Heart,” is composed by Bacolod first lady Maih Gasataya and performed by the ZEL Band with featured artists Carlo Louis Tiangson, Ritzel Carumba, Jul Ryan Andales, Oying Osmeña, and Leonard Ramos.
The lyric video was also officially released during the launching event.
The 15 official candidates of Miss Bacolod MassKara 2025 performed to their theme song, signaling the opening of the city’s premier cultural competition.
Organizers announced that signal jamming will no longer be implemented during the festival highlights, ensuring more open connectivity for residents and visitors.
With a full calendar of sports, sectoral, cultural, and highlight events, MassKara 2025 promises to be a “celebration of smiles that truly belongs to everyone.”
The Gugma Foundation and the city government assured their continued support, declaring they are prepared to invest in the festival “for as long as it will make the people happy.”
The launch was held at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center, a proud local brand embodying Bacolod’s hospitality.
MassKara, meaning “many faces,” symbolizes Bacolod’s resilience and joy, with the festival’s smiling masks representing optimism amid challenges.
The event is eagerly anticipated by locals and visitors alike, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit.
