MassKara Festival 2025 Launch: “One Smile, One City, One Heart”

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Each October, Bacolod City bursts into color, rhythm, and joy as it celebrates one of the Philippines’ most beloved cultural events—the MassKara Festival. In 2025, the festival returns with renewed energy and a fresh vision. The official launch last September 13 has revealed not only the dates, theme, and logo, but also a renewed commitment to community, inclusivity, culture, and local pride. Here’s everything you need to know about the MassKara Festival 2025 launch and the upcoming activities.

Read: MassKara 2025 Logo and Theme: One Smile, One City, One Heart

MassKara Festival 2025 Grand Launch

The MassKara Festival 2025 promised to be a grand celebration, if we are just to base on the grand launch last September 13, 2025, held at the Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center.

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya led the launch, which was supported by the city councilors. He said that the celebration reflects what a Bacolodnon is, especially in terms of trials, “We can unite as long as we have one direction and one objective.” Gasataya lamented the fact that a catastrophic fire in Brgy. 27 last week preceded the celebrations.

Despite the challenges, the City Government of Bacolod, under his leadership, in cooperation with the Gugma Foundation, was able to launch the MassKara Festival, which made all attendees excited about what was in store during the 3-week celebration in October. More details below.

*Mayor Greg Gasataya, Councilor Kalaw Puentevella, and the City Council during the grand launch.*

WATCH

Here’s an excerpt of the Masskara Festival 2025 grand launch at the Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center.

What’s Unique this Year?

One City, One Heart

Festival Director and Gugma Foundation President Rodney Ascalon said, “What’s unique this year is that we are giving the festival back to the people. You can see we a lot of competitions that are directed towards the community. We have inter-barangay singing competitions, dance competitions, and barangay trade fairs.” The celebration is all about the people, he added.

This year’s festival is about an all-inclusive partnership that thrives between the city government, the sectoral groups, and the sponsors — all about Bacolod. Being a festival director is not just a role. It’s a legacy that comes once in a lifetime. I can still remember that as a kid, I was sitting on my father’s shoulder, being inspired as the MassKara dancers passed by me. I will bring this inspiration to the MassKara Festival. And I am very humbled to lead a group of individuals who will carry on the legacy and spirit of the MassKara Festival.”

Key details

Some important details you need to know.

Festival Dates

October 1 to October 19, 2025

Highlight Weekend

October 17–19

Grand After‑Party

October 26, 2025

Theme / Tagline

One Smile, One City, One Heart

Official Logo

Titled Mass-Kasingkasing, it’s designed by Paula Romaine O. Salmingo. It draws on Bacolod’s culture, food (i.e. piaya), artistry, and history — including the tragedy of the M/V Don Juan that helped inspire MassKara Festival as a symbol of hope.

Organizer

Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., under Festival Director Rodney Mitz Ascalon. This is in close coordination with the Bacolod City Government under Mayor Greg Gasataya.

MassKara Festival 2025 Schedule of Activities

Planning a trip to Bacolod for MassKara 2025, or are you a local looking forward to joining in the festivities? Check out the schedule below.

*Miss Bacolod Masskara 2024 Princess Ella Olmilla and 1st Runner-Up Akeisha Nicole Nuarin.*

MassKara Queens Reunion

One of the highly anticipated events is the Miss Bacolod Masskara pageant, which will be made more exciting this year with the reunion of all past MassKara Queens. Ascalon said, “We are bringing in the Queens from the past”, giving them the recognition they deserve. So this is going to be one big celebration on pageant night!