By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – It’s about quality, not quantity.
This was emphasized by Bacolod Yuhum Foundation director Kuster Cadagat regarding the number of participants in this year’s MassKara Street and Arena Dance Competition, one of the highlights of the MassKara Festival, which culminates this weekend.
From 10 participants, only seven barangays made it to the list after some failed to liquidate their expenses for the PHP 700,000 subsidy from the city government.
Cadagat, who is also Bacolod Yuhum Foundation Inc. and Festival Director for Cultural and Accredited Events, earlier announced the seven barangays that will compete.
These are Barangays Granada, Bata, 6, 12, 18, 21, and 35.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez reminded participants to submit their liquidation reports after the festival.
The city still provided PHP 700,000 in assistance to each barangay this year.
Benitez stated that barangays that fail to liquidate the financial assistance will be barred from joining next year’s festival.
Cadagat explained that the original plan was to have 10 barangays compete, but many of those who participated in the 2023 festival missed the liquidation deadline.
“They were given an extension to liquidate, but they still failed to comply,” he said.
At least 12 barangays expressed interest in joining the street and arena dance competition, but five failed to submit their liquidation reports.
The champion of the MassKara Festival Street and Arena Dance Competition will receive PHP 1 million, the same prize as last year.
The first runner-up will receive PHP 500,000, while the second and third runners-up will take home PHP 300,000 and PHP 250,000, respectively.
Barangay Granada, the defending champion for the past two years, is hoping to score a grand slam this year.
