Five students representing sectoral groups were chosen as beneficiaries of this year’s MassKarade Ball and were awarded P100,000 each in college scholarship grants at the event at Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City, Friday night, October 20.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, who was accompanied by his wife, Nikki, welcomed the MassKarade Ball guests, among whom were the who’s who in the country and leaders of different industries.
The MassKara, which runs for three weeks, was designed to promote tourism, he said.
Guests at the MassKarade Ball also included senators Mark Villar and Francis Tolentino, former senator Tito Sotto with Jose and Wally, hosts of EAT, and Rep. Mikey Romero and wife, Sheila.
The beneficiaries of the funds raised through the MassKarade are Elena Mae Priza representing the transport sector, Shiella Mae Tito – women’s sector, John Keith Garcia – OFW sector, Eurikah Fardia Gargallano – PWD sector and Karri Cioco – youth sector.
MassKara chairman Jojie Dingcong also recognized the contribution of Eli Tajanlangit to the festival during the MassKarade Ball.
“I give recognition to an icon who has brought the MassKara Festival to greater heights. He was chairman and festival director in 2004 to 2012 and in 2016 to 2019. Under his leadership, the MassKara grew from a plaza event into an internationally famed festival, cited by CNN as one of the 12 best things in the Philippines and by the National Geographic Traveller as one of the 12 must-do events in the world for October,” Dingcong said.
Tajanlangit rejoined MassKara Festival as consultant and as co-chair of various events this year, Dingcong said.*