More than half of all barangays in Bacolod City have expressed interest in joining the MassKara Festival streetdance competition this year, a press release from festival organizers said.

An unprecedented 32 barangays have signed up for the streetdance competition of the 28th MassKara Festival set Oct.1 to 20. "This is the biggest number of barangays ever to have been listed as entries, and I think this is an indication that the festival has grown a notch higher in maturity," festival director Eli Tajanlangit said.

Tajanlangit also said that the P4 million fund approved last week by the Sangguniang Panglunsod, will be used as assistance to 29 barangay and 11 school entries.

He clarified that the Silver MassKara Festival Organization Inc. will only act as a conduit of funds for the P4 million, which will all go to the barangays and schools. Not a centavo of this budget will go to any other festival activity, he said in a press release.

Only the first 29 barangays that have listed up are qualified for funding. To process the fund assistance, the SMFO is asking each of the 29 to submit a letter from the barangay captain requesting for the funds detailing the budget, plus a list of the names of its choreographers, trainers and dancers who will comprise their street dance entry.

To ensure that the funds are properly spent, they will be released in two tranches. The second tranche will be released after the first has been liquidated.

The festival will revolve around the theme "Icons of Bacolod." It will start Oct. 1. The streetdance and arena competition is set Oct. 18, for schools; Oct. 20, barangays; and Oct. 21, for the open category.

A civic military parade will be held Oct. 19, during the Charter Day celebration, the press release said.

Meanwhile, Mom's Radio 90.3 FM, presentor of this year's MassKara SuperMom search is inviting mothers between 21 and 40 years old, to join the contest, a press release from the station said.

Now on its 4th year, the MSM '07 will be bigger, more colorful and a level higher as it takes the "Icons of Negros" theme in its pageant day, at Gaisano City Supermall.

Interested mothers may visit Mom's Radio 90.3 FM Office, located at 3rd Floor Capitol Subdivision Building, 16th Lacson St., in Bacolod City, or call Tel. No. 434-4252.

Deadline for submission of entry form will be on Sept. 26.

Last year's winner was Cherry Ann Biaco, a guidance counselor/educator of a Bacolod university, the press release added.*

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Rizal quiz winners name

The 2nd Rizal Quiz Contest Division of Bacolod level was held recently at the Rizal Elementary School Heritage Building, a press release from Domingo Lacson National High School said.

First and second place winners were Ma. Roan Grace Araneta and Ma. Ria Joy Araneta, both from the Bacolod City National High School, with coach Lemuel Gonzaga. Peter James Gordoncillo of DLNHS, coached by Farlene Pretta, won the third place. A total of 39 secondary students joined the contest, the press release said.

The contest is in preparation for the 2nd Rizal National Festival of Excellence on the theme, "Rizal: The will to perfection and the youth putting brillance to our future," the press release added.*