11/09/2026
MASSKARA 2026 UNVEILS NEW ARENA VENUE, TWIN LOGO AND “GUGMA” AGENDA AS FESTIVAL OPENS TO ALL
BACOLOD CITY — MassKara Festival 2026 officially kicked off Friday with the unveiling of its new “Share the Smile. Celebrate Gugma.” campaign, a new venue for its major dance competitions, a twin-logo concept and an expanded lineup of activities aimed at making the celebration more accessible to Bacolodnons and visitors.
Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon, beginning his second year at the helm of MassKara, said the 2026 celebration seeks to strengthen the festival’s identity while creating more opportunities for communities and different sectors to take part.
“MassKara is more than a festival; it is a feeling, it is our identity, and it is our way of sharing who we are,” Ascalon said during the launch.
He said this year’s theme forms part of the festival’s Gugma Agenda and the aspiration for a MassKara For All, aligned with the vision of Mayor Greg Gasataya.
Ascalon said the festival is designed to create a place for everyone, including drivers and TODAs, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, athletes, artists, youth, volunteers and animal advocates.
“MassKara should not only be watched; it should be experienced, it should be shared, and it should belong to everyone,” he said.
Among the major changes announced is the transfer of the Streetdance and Arena Dance Competition to the Reclamation Area located between the bridgeways of SM City Bacolod.
The new venue will host the school and barangay categories on October 17 and 18, respectively, bringing the competition closer to the public while providing a new setting for one of the festival’s signature showcases of dance, artistry and community pride.
Eight barangays will compete in the barangay category, namely Barangay 6, Barangay 10, Barangay 13, Barangay Alangilan, Barangay Bata, Barangay Mandalagan, Barangay Handumanan and Barangay Taculing.
The school category will feature Montevista Elementary School, Sum-ag Elementary School, Vista Alegre-Granada Relocation Elementary School, Vista Alegre Elementary School, Mandalagan Elementary School, Handumanan Elementary School 1 and Education Training Center School II.
Seven barangays will take part in the Electric MassKara Festival 2026, bringing their energy, creativity, and MassKara spirit to the celebration. The participating barangays are Barangay 12, Barangay 17, Barangay 19, Barangay 21, Barangay 14, Barangay Villamonte, and Barangay Tangub.
Ascalon said moving the competition to a new location does not change the essence of MassKara, emphasizing that the festival carries its spirit wherever it goes.
“Wherever we bring MassKara, we bring its heart,” Ascalon said, adding that “MassKara is where the heart is, and the heart of MassKara is Bacolod.”
The launch also highlighted the festival’s new twin-logo concept, described as a first-of-its-kind creative direction that presents two visual faces of MassKara while reflecting the festival’s evolving identity.
The twin logo was created by Mark Lester Jarmin, a Bacolod artist recognized for his work in digital arts and regarded as one of the city’s creative talents whose work continues to contribute to the visual identity of local culture and celebrations.
Jarmin’s work adds another layer to this year’s MassKara identity, bringing together digital artistry, local culture and the festival’s continuing evolution while maintaining the recognizable spirit of the City of Smiles.
The festival’s organizers said the twin-logo concept is envisioned to eventually become more visible across different platforms, spaces and experiences associated with MassKara.
The launching likewise formally introduced the 15 Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 candidates, who were sashed alongside their respective barangay leaders and Sangguniang Kabataan representatives.
Representing their communities are Aleyssa Dionio of Barangay Alijis, Hannah Damasco of Barangay 29, Margarette Ymballa of Barangay Taculing, Jasper Anne Lucero of Barangay Mandalagan, Ma. Zonora Ellyssa Curaza of Barangay Sum-ag, Eurica Cielo C. Abarro of Barangay Estefania, Ashley Nicole R. Andrade of Barangay Granada and Jeaven Icy A. Musni of Barangay Tangub.
Also competing are Julie Mikayla A. Borja of Barangay Mansilingan, Lourdeth G. Codico of Barangay Bata, Macy Alaine E. Albarico of Barangay Sincang, Daniella Louisse B. Merelos of Barangay 32, Krizza May L. Fernando of Barangay Cabug, Zoe Dorothy M. Ardiente of Barangay Villamonte and Kyla C. Aligaga of Barangay Pahanocoy.
The Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 candidates will go through a series of activities leading to the coronation night scheduled for October 11 at the STI Gym.
MassKara Festival 2026 will feature an extensive calendar of competitions, community activities, sporting events, pageants, food experiences, concerts and entertainment programs from October 1 to 18.
Among the scheduled highlights are MassKareppin, MasskaRap Battle, Choreographers Showdown, PetsKara, Drum and Lyre Corps Competition, SingKara, Super Kidskara, Electric MassKara, Hataw Sayaw sa Plaza and the Streetdance and Arena Dance Competition.
Major concerts and entertainment events are also scheduled at the Bacolod City Government Center, Plaza, SM City Bacolod, Ayala Malls Capitol Centra, Megaworld and other festival venues.
Organizers said additional schedules, particularly for accredited sporting events, will be announced in succeeding releases.
The launch also introduced the newest ambassadors of the celebration, ‘To Max and ‘Day Kara, who are expected to embody the spirit of the City of Smiles and the festival’s message of sharing joy and celebrating love.
For Ascalon, the second year of his leadership is not simply about expanding the festival but about deepening its relevance to the people of Bacolod.
“We don’t just make MassKara bigger; we make it matter,” he said.
MassKara Festival 2026 will officially run from October 1 to 18, with post-festival activities extending through October 25.
Organizers reminded the public that schedules and venues remain subject to change and encouraged everyone to follow the official MassKara Festival 2026 platforms for the latest announcements and updates.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya thanked the sponsors of MassKara Festival 2026, saying their continued support will play a major role in the success of this year’s celebration.
“Your support is a big part of the success of MassKara. We may not be able to repay your generosity, but we assure you that we will honor every commitment we have made and deliver what we have promised,” Gasataya said.
Text: Gugma Foundation
