Meet the Festival Director of MassKara Festival 2025: Rodney Mitz Ascalon

“Pressure, when embraced the right way, doesn’t break you—it builds you. It pushes you to rise higher, think deeper, and give more than what’s expected.” -DIREK RODNEY

A quiet force behind some of Bacolod’s most unforgettable celebrations, Rodney Mitz Ascalon, 45, now steps into the spotlight as the newly appointed Festival Director of MassKara 2025—bringing with him a lifetime of passion, purpose, and love for the city he calls home.

A graduate of Mass Communication at the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod, Ascalon was already making waves in the performing arts scene, earning special citations for his dedication and artistry. As a dancer, choreographer, and cultural advocate, he has been a core member of the USLS PEPSQUAD, JB Dance Company, and the founder of “The ARTIANS,” nurturing creative talent within the La Sallian community.

Now known as the Creative Director of Team Acids Events, an events company, Ascalon has directed large-scale events for national brands, institutions, and local government units across Negros. His footprint can be found in festivals and productions in Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Murcia, Cadiz, Pontevedra, and more.

Ascalon also takes pride in calling Barangay Villamonte his home, where he and his family have lived for years. It is a community that shaped his values and continues to inspire his service and creativity.

In 2022, he earned national recognition as a Best Live Events Director nominee at the Aliw Awards for his creative initiatives.

“MassKara has always been more than just a festival for me. It’s a mirror of who we are as Bacolodnons—joyful, creative, and resilient,” he shares.

As Festival Director, Ascalon opts to bring a calm, steady hand and a visionary mind—blending tradition with bold innovation.

“I’m inspired by Mayor Greg Gasataya’s leadership and vision for Bacolod—a city that leads with heart and serves its people first. That same spirit guides how we shape MassKara moving forward,” said Ascalon.

His leadership promises a MassKara that honors the roots of the celebration while opening new doors for artistic collaboration and community pride.

“This is not just a role—it’s a homecoming. I’m here to give back to the city that raised me,” he says with quiet conviction.* (PR)