Two decades since their last win in 1991, Brgy. 16 again brought home the championship trophy of the MassKara Festival 2013 street and arena barangay category dance competition at the Bacolod City Public Plaza yesterday.

Brgy. 16 with eagle-inspired costumes, headdresses and masks, bested 18 other competing barangays to win the trophy and P100,000 cash prize. They were also named best in mask and best in choreography.

Jesus Segundo Cabalcar, who was also the choreographer, mask and costume designer of last year’s champion Brgy. 17, said he used the concept of eagle in their costume design to show that Bacolod City is soaring high.

Brgy. 16 Captain Nelson Ligaya thanked the performers who took almost three months to practice their whole dance routine

Brgy. Cabug, first runner-up, brought home P75,000 in cash and the judges also adjudged them for best in concept because of the mascots depicting Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella and Rep. Evelio Leonardia.

Performers from Brgy. Alijis, also best in costume, were second runner-up and took home P50,000 in cash, while performers of Brgy. 22 were third runner-up and Brgy. 15 were 4th runner-up. They received P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

This year’s MassKara Festival adopted the theme, “Rediscover and Celebrate Bacolod”.

Karilagan Dance Theater member and choreographer of the 23rd Seagames Opening in Bacolod, Julius Martin Sollesta, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts member Fredie Isleta and Kahayag Dance Troupe of Dumaguete member Engel Boen Zerna were the judges for the arena competition

In the street dance competition, the judges were Ateneo de Manila University Faculty and dance trainer Jesse Gutangco, performing arts director of St. Paul University in Dumaguete, Raffy Duhaylungsod and Iloilo-based choreographer Rommel Flogen.

The performers were judged on dance consistency, choreography, performance, and concept and production design. The police estimated the crowd at the public plaza and in its nearby streets at 150,000 and there were no reported incidents.*APN

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