MASKED WINNERS Barangay Granada was adjudged grand slam winner in the arena dance competition’s barangay category of the MassKara Festival, Bacolod City’s top tourist attraction, which ended on Sunday night after 23 days of festivities. —ANDY ALVAREZ/CONTRIBUTOR
BACOLOD CITY — The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City won the “Best Festival Practices and Performances” at the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on Monday night, December 5.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also won as “Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer.”
The 43rd edition of the MassKara Festival was held in October after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bacolod bested two other nominees – the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
“The MassKara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy. And this has never been truer than this year’s celebration,” Benitez said in a statement.
“MassKara Festival 2022 was testament to Bacolodnon’s enduring spirit as our city rises and recovers from the impact of the pandemic. MassKara Festival has brought back the smile on the faces of Bacolodnons,” he added.
On behalf of the men and women behind the success of MassKara Festival —the organizers, sponsors, volunteers and vendors, and the Bacolodnons, Benitez thanked the Aliw Awards Foundation for the recognition.
Benitez said he dedicates the best festival catalyst/ organizer award to the people of Bacolod.
Councilor Jason Villarosa, Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on tourism chair, and Carmeli Bantug-Zayco, received the awards for Bacolod City and the mayor during the awards night.
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