This year’s MassKara Festival was officially launched with inclusivity at the forefront, as organizers vowed to make the 19-day celebration beginning October 1 the most community-driven and people-centered edition yet, a press release from the Bacolod City Tourism Office said.
Festival director Rodney Mitz Ascalon emphasized that MassKara 2025 is designed to be a festival for everyone, with programs representing a wide range of sectors, during a press conference at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center in Bacolod City.
“This is a legacy that comes once in a lifetime,” Ascalon said, crediting the dedication of the KaGugma Workforce for making the vision possible.
A short program showcasing various community sectors opened the launch, followed by the formal introduction of the Gugma Foundation Board, department heads, and event organizers—a symbolic moment underscoring the collaborative spirit behind the festival.
Among this year’s key sectoral events are special programs honoring persons with disabilities (PWDs), market vendors, tricycle drivers, senior citizens, and grassroots singers and dancers, all highlighting the diverse faces that make up Bacolod’s vibrant community.
Mayor Greg Gasataya also reflected on his personal journey as a former participant in the schools category of the street dance and arena competition, noting how the festival continues to shape Bacolod’s identity and inspire new generations.
The Gugma Foundation and the City Government further assured the public of their continued support, declaring they are prepared to invest in the festival “for as long as it will make the people happy.”
The launch also unveiled the official theme song, “One Smile, One City, One Heart,” composed by Bacolod First Lady Maih Gasataya and performed by the ZEL Band with featured artists Carlo Louis Tiangson, Ritzel Carumba, Jul Ryan Andales, Oying Osmeña, and Leonard Ramos. The lyric video was officially released during the event.
Adding pageantry to the launch, the 15 official candidates of Miss Bacolod MassKara 2025 performed to their theme song, signaling the opening of the city’s premier cultural competition.
Organizers also announced that signal jamming will no longer be implemented during the highlights, ensuring more open connectivity for residents and visitors.
With a full calendar of sports, sectoral, cultural, and highlight events, MassKara 2025 promises to be a “celebration of smiles that truly belongs to everyone.”*
