Cesar Jolito III

11/09/2026

MASSKARA 2026 UNVEILS NEW ARENA VENUE, TWIN LOGO AND “GUGMA” AGENDA AS FESTIVAL OPENS TO ALL

MassKara Festival 2026 officially kicked off Friday, September 11 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.

11/09/2026

STILL STRONGER TOGETHER

Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Lone District Rep. Albee Benitez affirmed that his political partnership with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor Claudio Puentevella is expected to remain intact for the 2028 elections.

Benitez dismissed social media speculation about a possible change in their political lineup, saying, “I don’t think it will happen.”

“The partnership will continue in 2028. Why will it not?” Benitez said.

However, he clarified that the three have yet to hold formal discussions on their specific plans for the 2028 elections, as their administration remains focused on addressing current issues. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ

11/09/2026

MASSKARA 2026 UNVEILS TWIN-LOGO CONCEPT

MassKara Festival 2026 introduces a new twin-logo concept, described as a first-of-its-kind creative direction showcasing two visual faces of the festival while reflecting its evolving identity.

The twin logo was created by Bacolod artist Mark Lester Jarmin, known for his work in digital arts. His design brings together digital artistry and local culture while preserving the recognizable spirit of the City of Smiles. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ

📸MassKara Festival 2026

11/09/2026

15 CANDIDATES SASHED FOR MISS BACOLOD MASSKARA 2026

Fifteen official candidates for Miss Bacolod MassKara (MBM) 2026 were formally introduced and sashed today, September 11, during the Grand Launching of the MassKara Festival 2026 in Bacolod City.

Representing 15 barangays, the candidates are:

1. Aleyssa Dionio – Brgy. Alijis
2. Hannah Damasco – Brgy. 29
3. Margarette Ymballa – Brgy. Taculing
4. Jasper Anne Lucero – Brgy. Mandalagan
5. Ma. Zonora Ellyssa Curaza – Brgy. Sum-ag
6. Eurica Cielo C. Abarro – Brgy. Estefania
7. Ashley Nicole R. Andrade – Brgy. Granada
8. Jeaven Icy A. Musni – Brgy. Tangub
9. Julie Mikayla A. Borja – Brgy. Mansilingan
10. Lourdeth G. Codico – Brgy. Bata
11. Macy Alaine E. Albarico – Brgy. Sincang
12. Daniella Louisse B. Merelos – Brgy. 32
13. Krizza May L. Fernando – Brgy. Cabug
14. Zoe Dorothy M. Ardiente – Brgy. Villamonte
15. Kyla C. Aligaga – Brgy. Pahanocoy

The candidates will vie for the Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 crown on October 11 as part of the city’s annual MassKara Festival celebration. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ

11/09/2026

MASSKARA ARENA TO BE HELD ALONG SM BACOLOD ROAD

The road beside SM City Bacolod will serve as the venue for the Arena Dance Competition of MassKara Festival 2026 on October 18, MassKara Festival Director Rodney Ascalon confirmed.

Bleachers will also be installed along the roadside to accommodate spectators during the competition.

The venue was moved from the Paglaum Sports Complex, which Gugma Foundation Inc. earlier said was no longer safe to use due to concerns over the facility’s structural integrity. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ

09/09/2026

ESCUDERO SEEKS BROADER DEFINITION OF ‘INDIGENCY’ TO COVER FAMILIES FACING MEDICAL, LEGAL COSTS

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is pushing for a broader and more uniform definition of indigency, saying government standards should consider not only household income but also extraordinary medical and legal expenses faced by Filipino families.

Escudero said the current framework may exclude households that are above established income thresholds but are still unable to afford costly medical treatment or legal proceedings.

In his podcast “Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman” aired over the weekend, Escudero noted that indigency is often associated with membership in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), despite the fact that financial hardship can also result from circumstances such as serious illness or litigation.

“Indigency, therefore, should also be defined by circumstance, and not just income,” Escudero said.

He pointed out that the term currently has no single definition across government agencies. Barangays issue certificates of indigency under the Local Government Code, while the Public Attorney’s Office uses standards aligned with Philippine Statistics Authority poverty metrics. The 4Ps law, meanwhile, relies on the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s targeting system.

Because of these varying standards, Escudero said there is a need to revisit the existing one-size-fits-all approach.

He proposed recognizing different forms of indigency based on a person or family’s circumstances, including “cancer-indigent” households struggling with serious illnesses and “litigation-indigent” individuals who cannot afford the expenses associated with legal proceedings.

Escudero said even professionals such as teachers who earn above the minimum wage could face indigency when confronted with extraordinary expenses.

“Ano ba talaga ibig sabihin ng indigency? Meaning 4Ps ka ba? Ang problema kasi sa batas natin iisa lang ibig sabihin ng indigency. Pero para sa akin iba’t iba ang level ng indigency,” Escudero said.

He cited cases involving petitions for nullity of marriage, which could require hundreds of thousands of pesos in legal expenses, as an example of circumstances that may not be captured by traditional income-based definitions.

Escudero’s proposal was supported by litigation lawyer Maggie Garduque, his guest on the podcast, who said different classifications of indigency could be recognized within the framework of the Constitution’s equal protection clause.

Escudero said expanding the definition could help ensure that government assistance and services reach Filipinos based on their actual capacity to pay, rather than solely on whether their income falls below a predetermined poverty threshold.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

07/09/2026

YELLOW AND RED ALERT: WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

Negros Power COO Engr. Joe-Mel Zaporteza explained that a yellow alert is raised when the power grid’s reserve capacity falls to a low level, while a red alert means the available power supply is insufficient to meet demand and there is no reserve power available.

Zaporteza also clarified that Manual Load Dropping (MLD) is directed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which manages the transmission grid and orders distribution utilities to temporarily reduce electricity demand when supply is insufficient.

Negros Power implements the MLD in its service area as directed by NGCP to help maintain grid stability amid limited generation capacity affecting the Cebu, Negros and Panay subgrids. | via Cesar Jolito III/WDJ