Bacolod City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced that the MassKara Festival will be extended at three festival sites to give kiosk vendors a chance to recover losses from the week-long rains caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.
Benitez said in an interview over the weekend that he is personally donating PHP 2.5 million, which will be converted into food vouchers for the public to purchase meals from kiosk vendors.
“Through the initiative of Councilor Celia Flor and Councilor Jason Villarosa, chair of the Committee on Tourism, we’ve decided to extend the MassKara Festival until October 31,” Benitez said.
He explained that many activities were disrupted by the typhoon, preventing people from going out to participate in or enjoy the festival.
“This extension aims to help our food tenants and kiosk vendors recover from the losses caused by the typhoon,” he added.
Benitez noted that instead of organizing more concerts or events, distributing food vouchers will ensure that sales go directly to the kiosks.
“Sometimes, during concerts, people just come to watch without buying food. By distributing vouchers, we can guarantee sales for the kiosks,” he said.
He added that councilors would oversee the distribution of food vouchers.
Initially, Benitez planned to donate PHP 2 million, but after computing the costs, he increased his donation to PHP 2.5 million.
“The distribution will be as widespread as possible, and the councilors will make sure it reaches everyone,” he said.
The Lacson Street Festival site will close as scheduled on Sunday to avoid disrupting major thoroughfares.
Three festival sites—BCGC, the plaza, and Upper East—will be extended, with partial road closures proposed from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Despite the rains, Benitez said he was pleased with the turnout of the 17-day festivities.
“People still came out, and we’ve seen record-breaking crowds, especially during the opening weekend,” he said.
He also mentioned that peace and order were maintained, with no major crimes reported during the festival.
In a message to vendors, Benitez acknowledged that the typhoon was beyond their control but reassured them that the city is doing its best to support them.
“We’re distributing food vouchers to ensure that our vendors earn during this extended festival period,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nikka Marie Peñol of Barangay 39 was crowned this year’s MassKara Festival Elektroika Diva. Peñol took home a PHP 75,000 cash prize. Ashley Nicole Belnas of Barangay 29 and Althea Judema of Barangay Pahanocoy were named first and second runners-up, winning PHP 30,000 and PHP 25,000, respectively.
Barangay 29 also claimed victory in the Electric Float competition. Their Saphirrus-inspired float was designed by Jovic Gordillo and John Joseph Suarnaba.
“I’m speechless. It was unexpected because we had many struggles before the competition, especially with the heavy rains that almost hindered all our preparations,” said Barangay 29 Punong Barangay Leonard Pascua.
Barangay 29 received a PHP 300,000 cash prize, while Barangay Pahanocoy and Barangay 17 were named first and second runners-up, receiving PHP 200,000 and PHP 150,000, respectively. While Barangay Granada became the Grandslam Champion in the Streetdance competion for winning two years in a row. The group won a million pesos during the culminating contest yesterday evening at the Paglaum Sports Stadium. (Dolly Yasa via The Daily Guardian)