• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The official theme song for the upcoming MassKara Festival 2025, titled “One Smile, One City, One Heart,” is getting some minor adjustments, after it was unveiled during the festival’s grand launch last Saturday.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. made some adjustments to the aspect of music, except the lyrics, which will be released on October 1, along with a music video.
“There are those who are okay with the music but there are those who think that the delivery and tempo should be different. We should listen to the people of Bacolod,” Gasataya said.
The song was composed by Bacolod City First Lady Maita Gasataya and performed by the ZEL Band with featured artists Carlo Louis Tiangson, Ritzel Carumba, Jul Ryan Andales, Oying Osmeña, and Leonard Ramos.
Its Latin-inspired rhythms were intended to bring back a familiar energy to the festivities, however, it received backlash from some Bacolodnons.
When the song was posted on the social media page of the MassKara Festival, a top comment criticized the song, saying “it doesn’t scream MassKara vibe.”
“All of us should be open for suggestions, whether criticisms, as long as it is for the benefit and welfare of the city, we will support it to make the MassKara Festival more vibrant,” he added.
The 46th MassKara Festival, scheduled from October 1 to 19, will include special programs to honor various sectors, such as persons with disabilities, market vendors, and tricycle drivers.
A major highlight is the return of the inter-barangay street and arena dance competition for school, after a five-year absence.
In a press briefing, the mayor stated that the financial subsidies of the city to street dance and arena, as well as electric MassKara contingents, will be given to the barangay and schools directly.*
