BACOLOD CITY: Barangay Granada emerged as the grand winner in the 44th MassKara Festival Street Dance and Arena Competition, taking home PHP1 million in cash prizes. The village outperformed nine other groups at Paglaum Sports Complex on Sunday night to secure its fifth champion's trophy in the past decade.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, Barangay Granada's win serves as a testament to its status as the 'home of the champions.' The win came after the festival returned in 2022 following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The group presented a seven-minute dance production featuring elaborate costumes, masks, and headdresses, supported by approximately 200 propsmen. The performance was themed 'Super City Bacolod.'
Barangay Granada also won three out of four special awards, including Best in Headdress, Mask and Costume, Best in Theme, and Best in Music, each coming with a PHP25,000 cash prize. Corporate awards were also received from FoodPanda and Pocari Sweat, which contributed PHP75,000 in food vouchers and PHP50,000 in products, respectively.
The victory was choreographed by Joedem Casabuena and Mark Philip Lamirez, who also led the village to previous wins in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Both expressed their satisfaction with the performance, noting the hard work and dedication of the dancers and propsmen.
Barangay Tangub, the champion in 2018, was named the first runner-up, with a prize of PHP500,000. Barangay Sum-ag, mentored by veteran dancer-trainor Segundo Jesus Cabalcar Jr., claimed the second runner-up spot and a PHP300,000 cash prize. Barangay Sum-ag also received a special award for Best Introduction Video with a PHP25,000 cash award.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez voiced his pride in showcasing the MassKara Festival to both local and international audiences. The event was attended by distinguished guests including Senator Ronald de la Rosa, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose, and Department of Tourism-Western Visayas Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.