The first-ever MassKara Media Awards paid tribute to the storytellers who have kept the spirit of Bacolod’s world-renowned festival alive through their words, images, and digital creativity.
The iconic Bacolod City Government Center lobby was transformed into a glittering venue for an evening of recognition, gathering prominent figures from the legacy and traditional press, digital platforms, radio, and the city’s growing community of content creators and influencers on Saturday evening, Oct. 25, a press release from the Bacolod Gugma Foundation said.
The inaugural awards celebrated excellence across multiple media categories, underscoring the vital role of journalists and digital communicators in amplifying the MassKara story and sharing Bacolod’s smiles with the world.
In the Online Bloggers Category, Sigrid Says by Sigrid Lo was named MassKara Blog of the Year.
In the Digital Category, ArkyPila Go by Mark Pila and Rye Leones received the Influencer of the Year award, while K5 News FM Bacolod’s Red Salgado earned MassKara Digital Feature of the Year honors.
In the Print Category, Panay News won MassKara Special Supplement of the Year, while in the Print/Online Publication Category, Cesar Jolito III was awarded Best in Photo Essay, and Erwin “Ambo” Delilan received Best in MassKara Feature.
The Radio Category recognized DYKB RPN Radyo Ronda’s Henceboy Cestina as AM Radio Feature of the Year winner. Bombo Radyo Bacolod received the award for Best in Arena and Street Dance Live Coverage (AM), while K5 News FM Bacolod was hailed as Best in Arena and Street Dance Live Coverage (FM).
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Legacy Award to veteran journalist Carla Gomez, honoring her four decades of unwavering dedication to promoting the MassKara spirit. Throughout her distinguished career across established media outlets, Gomez has served as a writer, mentor, and icon — embodying Bacolod’s resilience, optimism, and warmth.
In her message, Gomez underscored that MassKara is a celebration that Bacolodnons look forward to every year, especially the marginalized — a reminder that we can still have fun and find joy even amid life’s challenges. She thanked the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. for “bringing the festival’s spirit back to the grassroots — the very essence of what MassKara truly stands for.”
Each awardee received a specially designed Jojo Vito trophy, a symbolic representation of the MassKara Festival’s artistry and cultural pride.
The event also recognized the winners of the Mangkas Media Exclusive Collaterals Reels Competition: Ann Defensor-Lisay, John Dale Salazar, Wendel Balinario, Grace Supe, and Jojo Vito.
MassKara Festival Director and Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc. President Rodney Mitz Ascalon expressed his gratitude to the local media community for their continued support, while Louise Lian Bobe, PR Director and Head of Media Relations, acknowledged the honorees for their commitment to amplifying the stories that make MassKara truly the Festival of Smiles.
The MassKara Media Awards mark a new chapter in Bacolod’s celebration community—-honoring the storytellers who ensure that Bacolod’s smiles continue to inspire beyond the festival grounds.*PR