Re-igniting the Slumbered Passion

By: Carol Joyce M. Ybarle Master Teacher 1-MAPEH Barangay Singcang Airport National High School Barangay Singcang, Bacolod City

BALIK yuhum a Hiligaynon phrase which means to bring back the smile is the theme of the Masskara Festival 2022. The phrase can also speak of how younger generation of dancers gathered at Ayala Malls Central event center last October 12, 2022 as they compete for the first Masskara Dance sports Competition after the long pause caused by the pandemic. An event facilitated by the Bacolod Dance sports team headed by Miss Joy Martinez, the team is composed of selected secondary and elementary MAPEH teachers from Bacolod city.

The contenders of the competition came from all over Negros Occidental with representatives from both private and public schools of Bago city, Municipality of Murcia, Municipality of Kabankalan, Talisay city, Silay city, and Bacolod city all vying for the gold medal. The dancers gave their best to impress the judges Ms. Rosebelle Baldostamon, Mr. Carlo Walawad, and Mr. Ryan Nicho Jago. There were three categories in the competition the Juvenile category, the Rising Star category, and Third Kind Division category. Each categories have bronze, silver, and gold medals and trophies to award the top three winners; they also received gift packs from IAM Worldwide, IBC Bacolod, and Tide and Ariel by Macro Distributors who were the major sponsors of the event.

The competition concluded with Jhamela Dale Manalo, Neigel Caya, and Roan Spencer Arias winning the gold, silver, and bronze medal respectively for the Juvenile Category. In the Rising Star Category, Roneel Oreta and Skylah Ebarque bagged the gold medals, while Kyanne Tubesal and Loraine Santeya were awarded silver medals, and Ralph Nasis and Althea Nasis were the bronze medalits. Lastly on the Third Kind Division Category, Philip Deocadiz and Anthony Arbolante were hailed as the gold medalist, while Jonard Pelermiano and Frederick Rondian were awarded silver medals; Carl Vincent Besonia and Ariana Corpuz were awarded as bronze medalists

This activity was made to encourage the students for them to engage in to physical activities to know that they have values and this is also a way of boosting their self-confidence and strengthen the Bacolod learners to get engage in physical activities. More than that the competition re-ignited the passion of the younger generation dancers that were not able to showcase their potentials for the past two years of lockdown.

In the end the competition was filled with fiery performances showcasing the talents, skills, and passion from each of the contenders on all categories. From the perspective of a facilitator it was fulfilling to see mentors smiling and hurdling as their students perform on the area. Win or lose all the contestants enjoyed their time dancing through the music as they give their all. Indeed we can say that “Balik Yuhum” was the very definition of the experience for everyone involved in the activity.