Bacolod sky lights up to signal end of MassKara festivities

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 23-day MassKara Festival ended with a bang on Sunday night as 20,000 spectators gathered in the Negros Occidental provincial capital for a grand fireworks display.

The occasion, however, was more meaningful for Barangay Granada after its performers bagged the top award in the MassKara Festival Street and Arena Dance Competition’s barangay category for the third consecutive year. Granada also won the competition’s concept and choreography awards.

The village’s performers wore back to back smiling masks that delighted the festival crowd. Their colorful costumes boosted the fiesta atmosphere in the city.

Performers from Granada had the most number of props, including replicas of Bacolod landmarks, sugarcane and the city’s famous dishes and delicacies. Their performances also featured props such as butterflies and crabs made of cardboard.

The MassKara Festival was a frenzied 23 days of lively entertainment and street parties at the Bacolod public plaza, the Bacolod Government Center grounds and the Tourism Strip down Lacson Street.

The the top three winners of a five-day fireworks competition, led by Peacocks Fireworks based in this city, were featured at the grand fireworks display that capped the festival at the Bacolod Government Center on Sunday.

Performers from Barangay Banago join Bacolod’s MassKara Festival. —RONNIE BALDONADO