Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Additional flights to Bacolod requested for MassKara

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Major sponsors of MassKara Festival, including San Miguel Brewery Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc., Megaworld and Bingo Plus, through their respective representatives, Jeremy Losbanes, George Jardiolin, Jennifer Palmares Fong and Jasper Vicencio (left to right) with Atty. Pinky Mirano Ocampo (center) at the signing of the MOA during a press conference at Scarborough Seafood Restaurant in Bacolod City.* GPB photo

Additional Manila Bacolod Manila flights have been requested to transport guests of the MassKara festival this year, disclosed festival director Atty. Pinky Mirano Ocampo yesterday.

Ocampo, head of the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation that handles the month-long festivities, said that they are expecting 200,000 guests in Bacolod City

“Usually passenger traffic increases in the 2nd week of the festival so we are requesting early so that they can prepare,” she added.

The MassKara Festival will kick off Sept. 30, with a grand MassKara countdown at the Bacolod City Government Center.

A memorandum of agreement was signed yesterday between the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation and four major sponsors, including Megaworld, SMC Brewery Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and BingoPlus.

Ocampo described the MOA signing as a “historic testament of our covenant to ensure, secure and deliver the best MassKara Festival.”

Major sponsors also shared their commitment in achieving “Balik Yuhum” or bringing back the smile of every Bacolodnon.

We can see the semblance of passion shared by both MassKara and BingoPlus, to bring entertainment that gives rewarding experience and adds value to its participants and audiences, Jasper Vicencio, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE) president, said in a statement.

It is for this reason that we find this a very meaningful CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative for BingoPlus, Vicencio added.

Unlike the previous MassKara Festivals, this year’s festivities will not receive a single centavo from the Bacolod City government, Mirano said.

“Our staff is working hard to get sponsors for the different events as part of our commitment to bring a different kind of MassKara experience,” she added.

Ocampo said they are thanking the major sponsors who committed to support MassKara as they need a big budget “to bring the best MassKara to the people of Bacolod.”

Except for the financial aid for participating barangays in the arena and street dance competition on October 23 and the electric MassKara dance on October 22, we are raising our own funds, Ocampo further said.

The Bacolod City government has allocated P5.35 million in financial assistance to barangays joining the street dance and float competitions during the highlights of the MassKara Festival on Oct. 22 and 23.

Participating barangays in the street dance competition will get P200,000 each, totaling P3.4 million, while those joining the Electric MassKara will receive P150,000 each or a total of P1.95 million.

This year, the grand champion of the street and arena dance competition will get a cash prize of P1 million while the top winner of the Electric MassKara contest will get P500,000.

Ocampo said the delay of the release of the financial assistance for participating barangays is caused by the delay in the submission of some barangays of their MOAs.

The annual festival was shelved for two years because of health protocols caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic.*

ARCHIVES

Read Article by date

March 2024
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Get your copy of the Visayan Daily Star everyday!

Avail of the FREE 30-day trial.