CLARENCE PEN: School Category Inclusion in Street Dance Competition

I admire the city government of Bacolod for its decision to revive the school category in the much-awaited MassKara Street Dance competition to be participated by public or even private schools in the city.

I feel that many of us have missed the participation of the students, unlike before when we witnessed in the arena competition the body movements, the amazing rhythms, timing, the vibrant jumping of street dancers that attracted more local and foreign tourists visiting our beloved city.

The schools’ participation is a welcome development because we revive history, realizing the trials in the past and the resiliency of our city, province and country.

The Mayor Greg Gasataya administration’s revival of the street dance competition involving the students and the downtown and public plaza as the venues will define anew that BACOLODNONS are STRONGER TOGETHER.

This festival is a world class festival that shows our culture, tradition, our products and most of all our spectacular smiles.

Also, I can recall that in the late 80’s when the employees of Lopue’s Department Store also showed up in the street dance competition, during which they were consistently adjudged the winners. I am hopeful that in the next few years, the MassKara Festival 2025 will truly be remembered because Bacolodnons and visitors enjoyed the fanfare.

For the record, MassKara emerged in 1980’s because of the devastations of our sugar industry and the sea collision involving the ship M/V Don Juan that caused the death of many of our Kasimanwas here in our city.* (CL)