Brgy Alijis dancers stunned the crowd at the Bacolod City public plaza with their creativity and military precision as they performed the routine which made them the Best in Costume, Best in Choreography, Best in Concept, Best in Call and Response, and Best in Mask among the 15 competing groups.
"Our performance tonight was definitely better than during the barangay category," JR Diaz, a Brgy. Alijis dancer said,"It was our concept and choreography that made us win."
Brgy 30, another crowd favorite, was 1st runner-up while Mabini Elementary School, the champion in the elementary level, was 2nd runner-up. It was the first time, since the schools category was revived in 2004 by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, that a school won in the open category.
Brgy. Alijis, 1st runner-up in the barangay category last year, is headed by Brgy. Captain Pepito Malapitan. Their choreographer and mask and costume designer is Segundo Jesus Cabalcar, Jr. Brgy. Alijis received Php 100, 000 plus a special trophy designed by top Bacolod visual artist Charlie Co. Brgy. 30 received 75 thousand pesos while Mabini Elementary School got 50 thousand pesos.
The Top 10 which received a consolation prize of 10 thousand pesos each were Singcang, Punta Taytay, Handumanan, Mandaue, Brgy. 23, Brgy.21, Brgy. 20, Brgy. 17, Brgy. 22, and Brgy. 38.
The dance competition capped the 27th MassKara Festival from Oct. 1-22 which used the "Masks of the World" creative concept. Meanwhile, Festival Director Eli Tajanlangit thanks the people of Bacolod for having pulled off