Barangay Granada dancers in Bacolod City perform during the 45th MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition where they were named winners at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW ALTAREJOS)
BACOLOD CITY — Barangay Granada won the 45th MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition championship and took home more than P1 million in prizes.
The event took place at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Barangay Granada is now a two-time grand slam winner, having bagged six MassKara Festival championships.
“They stood out and delivered another spectacular performance,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.
The mayor congratulated all seven participants who danced down Araneta Street and performed at the Paglaum Sports Complex.
Barangay Bata won first runner-up and brought home P500,000 while Barangay 12 was the second runner-up and bagged P300,000.
Other participating barangays were 35, 18, 21, and 6.
Barangay Granada bagged all the minor awards for Best in Music with a prize of P25,000; Best Theme and Concept – P25,000; Best Mask and Costume – P25,000; Bacolod Yuhum Choice Award – P15,000; and Best in Connectivity in Motion Todo na Dito Award – P100,000.
Barangay Granada dancers in Bacolod City perform during the 45th MassKara Festival street dance and arena competition where they were named winners at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW ALTAREJOS)
The Pillar of Dance Excellence Award was presented to choreographer Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar Jr., who received P10,000 for his contributions to dance in the community.
Granada Barangay Captain Armando Vito said they are very proud of their performers and those who made their victory possible.
Granada won the championship in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and in 2022, 2023, and 2024, equivalent to two grand slams.
Vito said they won the first five championships under then Barangay Captain Alfredo Talimodao Jr. and this year, under his leadership.
Since they are a grand slam winner, Vito said they cannot join next year’s competition and will have to rest for a year.
“This could be our last participation since we have nothing to prove anymore,” Vito said.
The celebration was capped by a drone show and fireworks display over the Paglaum Sports Complex Sunday night.