The Bacolod City MassKara dancers gave lively and glittering performances that wowed audiences at the New York State Capitol in the United States and in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday and Friday, June 1 and 2.
The multi-awarded Barangay Granada MassKara dancers are in New York City for the 125th Philippine Independence Anniversary commemoration parade along Madison Avenue on June 4.
On Thursday they performed before state senators and assemblymen and the Filipino community at the New York State Capitol in Albany.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez presented a token of Bacolod’s appreciation to Assemblyman Steven Raga for inviting the MassKara dancers to perform inside the New York State Capitol.
The other Bacolod officials in the delegation are councilors Em Ang, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor and Simplicia Distrito, and Granada Barangay Captain Alfredo Talimodao.
Former Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito said no city funds were used for the trip. Benitez and Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya were instrumental in raising the funds for the entire delegation, he said.
Benitez said the cultural event is an opportunity to promote Bacolod.
“When we promote Bacolod City, awareness about the city will increase. It will bring in tourism, it will bring in investments, and will redound to development and benefit for all of us,” he said before leaving for New York.
Meanwhile, Barangay Sum-ag’s MassKara dancers performed at the Busan International Dance Festival 2023 at the Cinema Mountain Theater in Busan on Friday.
“The stage is impeccable, it’s huge, the lighting and sounds are amazing and the festival is well organized with amiable staff,” Segundo Jesus “Panoy” Cabalcar, Sum-ag choreographer and head of Bacolod delegation to Busan, said.
Prior to their gala performance, the group also visited Sinjin Elementary School for a dance workshop.
“I taught them some basic steps of street dancing and explained what is the real essence of the MassKara Festival, the students were very participative, curious and eager to learn about our festival”, Cabalcar added.*