MASKED WINNERS Barangay Granada was adjudged grand slam winner in the arena dance competition鈥檚 barangay category of the MassKara Festival, Bacolod City鈥檚 top tourist attraction, which ended on Sunday night after 23 days of festivities. 鈥擜NDY ALVAREZ/CONTRIBUTOR
BACOLOD CITY 鈥� The 聽MassKara Festival of Bacolod City won the 鈥淏est Festival Practices and Performances鈥� at the Aliw Awards 2022 held at the Manila Hotel on Monday night, December 5.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also won as 鈥淏est Festival Catalyst/Organizer.鈥�
The 43rd edition of the MassKara Festival was held in October after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bacolod bested two other nominees 鈥� the Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights of Lubang Island Mindoro and the Fiestang Caragan of Mabalacat City, Pampanga.
鈥淭he MassKara Festival is a celebration of the strength and resilience of Bacolodnons in times of crisis and tragedy. And this has never been truer than this year鈥檚 celebration,鈥� Benitez said in a statement.
鈥淢assKara Festival 2022 was testament to Bacolodnon鈥檚 enduring spirit as our city rises and recovers from the impact of the pandemic. MassKara Festival has brought back the smile on the faces of Bacolodnons,鈥� he added.
On behalf of the men and women behind the success of MassKara Festival 鈥攖he organizers, sponsors, volunteers and vendors, and the Bacolodnons, Benitez thanked the 聽Aliw Awards Foundation for the recognition.
Benitez said he dedicates the best festival catalyst/ organizer award to the people of Bacolod.
Councilor Jason Villarosa, Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on tourism chair, and 聽Carmeli Bantug-Zayco, received the awards for Bacolod City and the mayor during the awards night.
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