GASATAYA (Glazyl Masculino)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Greg Gasataya announced on Monday, July 7, that a new local group has been tapped to organize this year’s MassKara Festival in October.
The announcement of the group’s identity is expected within the week.
Speaking in a press briefing at the Bacolod City Government Center, Gasataya said organizers – all from this city – began initial discussions in late May.
He said that the new team is deeply familiar with the city’s culture.
This change marks the end of the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation Inc.’s (BYFI) three-year role as festival organizer during former Mayor now Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez’s administration.
Gasataya said the 2025 MassKara Festival will aim for greater local participation and more events highlighting this city’s homegrown talent.
Despite the city council’s move to shift the festival highlights to the third Sunday of October due to weather concerns, the mayor confirmed that key events will still take place on the traditional fourth Sunday of the month.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod MassKara Coliseum in Barangay Tangub here is 72 percent complete and expected to be finished by December.
The project which has an initial budget of P800 million was part of a P1.7-billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines. It will have a seating capacity of 12,000.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri recently visited the site alongside Gasataya.