More than the prize money

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It may have been just an entertainment show and those who joined it enthusiastically were, no doubt, also motivated by the attractive prize for the winner which was a whopping P3 million. The bulk of the amount would go to the performers, while one-third was for the sponsoring town or city to be used for its own projects.

And so, Bacolod City, like the other participating government units from all over the country, put its heart and soul into the presentation that was shown on television during prime time, and was available to various countries all over the world.

The city’s MassKara dancers, ever willing and primed to present their best, sallied into the contest with all their vigor and enthusiasm, mindful of putting their city on the map, as far as the program called “It’s Showtime!” was concerned.

After hurdling, first the daily, then the weekly, and later the monthly competition, Bacolod’s entry was ready for the Grand Finals that was staged simultaneously in Manila and in Bacolod by the network ABS-CBN. The presentation of Bacolod was delayed for almost an hour because of technical glitches, but that never bothered the performers, or the supportive crowd Bacoleños who bore the midday and early afternoon heat to watch the show with the majestic Government Center as backdrop.

It’s history now, Bacolod’s entry won the Grand Finals and the three million prize. What rejoicing and euphoria followed the proclamation!

But more than the prize or the honors, the victory gained immeasurable bonuses for the city, as shown by the reaction and responses from all over the world of those who had watched it. The most incalculable gains it brought will surely be felt in the city’s effort towards drawing tourist to the city and province. This was just a side effect of the participation, but it may turn out to be the most valuable of all.*