BACOLOD CITY – MassKara Festival dancers here have received invitations to perform abroad next year.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, December 11, that three countries would like to see them perform.
BENITEZ (Glazyl Masculino)
Benitez said that MassKara dancers from Barangay Granada will perform in Hong Kong. Those from Barangay Sum-ag will perform in Taiwan in February, he said.
The invitation came after Taiwan witnessed their performance in South Korea last year.
Hall of Famer Barangay Granada was a five-time champion in the MassKara Street Dance and Arena Competition and Barangay Sum-ag was second runner-up in this year’s edition.
Early this year, Barangay Sum-ag MassKara dancers performed at the Busan International Dance Festival 2023 at the Cinema Mountain Theater in Busan, South Korea.
Barangay Granada danced at the state capitol of New York during the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration.
MassKara dancers also performed in the Andong Mask Dance Festival in Andong, South Korea.
Benitez also said that there is an invitation from Italy to perform on Independence Day next year.
He said that people from Italy witnessed the performance of MassKara dancers in New York last year.
“Slowly, we are now becoming worldwide,” the city chief executive said, adding that other countries also communicated with the local government to bring the native dancers to them.
Benitez said that budget for their trip will be sponsored by these countries but the city will also spare a minimal amount for them.