BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, 13 OCTOBER 2026 — Casino Plus, one of the Philippines’ leading PAGCOR-licensed digital entertainment platforms, joined the City of Smiles in opening MassKara Festival 2026 as the festival’s official presenter and major sponsor, kicking off the celebrations with the Hataw MassKara! opening concert on October 9 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
The digital entertainment platform also introduced a new title to this year’s festival, crowning the first-ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod during the Miss Bacolod MassKara pageant.
The Cultural Soul of MassKara
Unlike many Philippine festivals rooted in religious tradition, MassKara was born out of hardship. In 1980, Negros Occidental, the country’s sugar capital, was reeling from a collapse in global sugar prices. That same year, the sinking of the inter-island ferry MV Don Juan took hundreds of lives, many of them from Bacolod.
In response, local leaders, civic groups, and artists brought the community together for a street celebration built around smiling masks, a deliberate statement that the city’s spirit would endure. The festival’s name joins “mass,” for a multitude of people, and “kara,” from the Spanish cara, meaning face.
More than four decades later, MassKara’s smiling masks remain a symbol of hope and the source of Bacolod’s identity as the City of Smiles. For Bacolodnons, the festival is an annual reaffirmation of heritage, community, and optimism.
Setting the tone with Hataw MassKara!
On October 9, thousands of festivalgoers, residents, and visitors filled the BCGC grounds for an evening of retro-inspired dance performances, cultural showcases, and live entertainment, setting the tone for the city’s annual celebration.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya led the official launch of the city’s “10-Day MassKara High,” featuring around 50 major activities that celebrate Bacolod’s cultural heritage, creativity, and community spirit.
“As we kick off MassKara 2026, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s festival a vibrant and joyful celebration,” Gasataya said during his opening address.
For Casino Plus, its participation in MassKara reflects its commitment to supporting local celebrations that bring communities together and showcase Filipino talent and culture.
“MassKara captures the energy, creativity, and resilience of the Filipino spirit. We are proud to be part of a celebration that brings people together through culture, entertainment, and shared experiences,” said Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus. “Our partnership with Bacolod goes beyond supporting a festival. It is about helping create memorable experiences for the community, celebrating local talent, and contributing to an event that brings so much pride and joy to the City of Smiles.”
Crowning the first Miss Casino Plus Bacolod
The festivities continued on October 11 at the Miss Bacolod MassKara Coronation Night. From a field of 15 candidates, 25-year-old Daniella Louisse Merelos was named the first-ever Miss Casino Plus Bacolod. She received a Casino Plus crown, a sash, and a ₱50,000 cash prize, presented by Casino Plus Head of Branding Roj Tirona.
As Miss Casino Plus Bacolod, Merelos will join social media personality and Casino Plus brand advocate Zeinab Harake Parks at the Electric MassKara float parade on October 16, one of the festival’s most anticipated events. She will also be invited to take part in official Casino Plus activities.
A shared commitment to culture, talent, and ‘gugma’
The Bacolod Gugma Foundation, organizer of this year’s festival activities, described its partnership with Casino Plus as a meaningful contribution to MassKara 2026, one that extends the festival’s support to local performers and communities.
“MassKara 2026 is really about making the festival matter beyond the celebration itself,” the Foundation said. “Our theme this year is ‘Share the Smile. Celebrate Gugma.’ Gugma means love, and for us, that love is expressed through our people, our culture, our communities, and the many individuals who work together to make MassKara happen.”
“When a partner like Casino Plus comes in, we see it as more than a commercial partnership. It becomes an opportunity to create more experiences, provide additional support to our communities and performers, and help us make MassKara more meaningful,” the Foundation added.
Casino Plus will continue to support MassKara Festival 2026 through its remaining events, joining Bacolod in celebrating its cultural heritage, homegrown talent, and enduring spirit of togetherness.
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This press release has also been published on VRITIMES