Moonstar88, Baby Dolls rock Casino Plus’ MassKara parties; Barangay Handumanan takes home Hataw MassKara Choice

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental - October 29, 2026 - The masks were smiling, the crowd was singing, and Bacolodnons did not sleep. As major sponsor and official presenter of MassKara Festival 2026, Casino Plus turned the city’s Lacson Tourism Strip into a two-night party with its Hataw MassKara! activation, drawing thousands of revelers to non-stop music and celebrations on October 17 and 18 as the City of Smiles closed out its biggest festival of the year.

Headlining the stage of Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), were Filipino rock band Moonstar88 and P-pop girl group Showtime Baby Dolls, who kept Bacolodnons dancing from sundown well into the night.

Moonstar88 opened the weekend on October 17 with a set built for singing along. Fans belted out crowd favorites “Migraine” and “Torete” alongside lead vocalist Maysh Baay, and the band also performed songs from their newest album, “Habambuhay.” The crowd also went Ooh-La-Lah! as Showtime’s Baby Dolls took over the stage on Sunday night, with hundreds smiling and dancing with their viral hits "Oohh Lala Baby" and "Ikembot Mo.” Pandemonium also erupted when Baby Dolls danced “Boom Kara Karaka” and “Tira Tira Dulce” on the Casino Plus stage, amusing the audience with their moves, flexing their talent in unison for the festivities.


Fans belted out crowd favorites “Migraine” and “Torete” alongside lead vocalist Maysh Baay, and the band also performed songs from their newest album, “Habambuhay.” 


The pandemonium also erupted when Baby Dolls danced “Boom Kara Karaka” and “Tira Tira Dulce” on the Casino Plus stage, amusing the audience with their moves, flexing their talent in perfect unison.

Miss Casino Plus Bacolod  
As part of her duties as the first-ever Miss Casino Plus, Bacolod’s 25-year-old Daniella Louisse Merelos also made the rounds to the gaming platform’s booths in the city, taking part in free ice cream and photo opportunities with fans, and handing out prizes to Bacolodnons who participated in the booth’s games. Merelos said she wanted to “leave a legacy of happiness, inclusivity, and inspiration” to others.

“For me, MassKara is more than just a festival; it's an opportunity to bring people together, share stories, and create meaningful connections,” the beauty queen said. “I want people to remember not just the title I carry, but how I made them feel welcomed, valued, and inspired. Because at the heart of MassKara is a smile that brings people together. I want to encourage people to listen without judgment, support one another, and never lose the compassion that makes us uniquely Negrense. Because no matter how fast the world changes, I believe our greatest tradition is not just our culture, but the kindness we pass on to one another.”

Bgy. Alangilan won P15,000 from Casino Plus for the “Merry-making Mini Dance Showdown” segment on Oct. 18, 2026. Casino Plus Head of Branding Director Roj Tirona presented the cheque to the winner.

Barangay Handumanan takes home Hataw MassKara Choice
No MassKara weekend is complete without the street dance showdown. At SM City Bacolod, eight barangay groups went head-to-head for the championship. Barangay Taculing sealed the title after 16 years, winning the coveted ₱1 million grand prize. Barangay Handumanan placed second and took home the Hataw MassKara Choice award and a ₱80,000 prize from Casino Plus.

The following also clinched awards from Casino Plus for the “Merry-making Mini Dance Showdown” segment, winning special cash prizes from the gaming platform:

• Barangay Alangilan: P15,000 (presented by Casino Plus Head of Branding Director Roj Tirona)
• Barangay 6: P10,000
• Barangay Taculing: P5,000

All eight barangays also danced to Casino Plus’ MassKara theme song, creating a moment of community pride and unity.

The Bacolod Gugma Foundation said the showdown “is a very important moment for the festival.”

“It means we are once again bringing together different generations and levels of performers and giving them a bigger platform to showcase their talent,” said Rodney Mitz Ascalon, the festival director. “Behind every contingent is an entire community — dancers, choreographers, costume makers, parents, teachers, volunteers, and supporters. This is what Making MassKara Matter means to us. We are not simply presenting a competition. We are investing in the people and communities that keep the tradition alive.”

Casino Plus Corporate Communications Director Joanna Christina Tinio (center, wearing yellow) and Assistant Manager Job Manahan (center, wearing orange) met with core local media in Bacolod, headed by RMN’s Prime Tejida (center right).

Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma expressed his gratitude to the local media, the local government unit, performers, and the Bacolod Gugma Foundation for their continued trust and support to Casino Plus as this year’s official presenter of the MassKara Festival.

“MassKara is Bacolod’s gift of joy to the world, and we’re honored to celebrate it alongside the people who make it shine. Seeing thousands sing, dance, and smile together on Lacson Street is exactly what this festival, and our partnership with the City of Smiles, is all about,” said Spytma.

Casino Plus’ Hataw MassKara! was part of the platform’s support for MassKara Festival 2026, celebrating Bacolod’s music, culture, and community spirit.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY
In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

ABOUT CASINO PLUS
Casino Plus is a PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

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Please email: Communications&CorporateAffairs@casinoplus.com