Casino Plus brings ‘Hataw MassKara’ to Bacolod as official presenter of MassKara Festival 2026; Zeinab, Moonstar88, Baby Dolls to headline 3-day concert

 

 Casino Plus, one of the Philippines’ leading PAGCOR-licensed digital entertainment platforms, is bringing its signature brand of entertainment to the MassKara Festival 2026 as the festival’s official presenter, with a packed lineup of activities culminating in a three-day concert featuring Zeinab Harake Parks, Moonstar88, and Showtime’s Baby Dolls.

Casino Plus’ Hataw MassKara runs from October 1 to 18, bringing together entertainment, interactive experiences, local talent, and festival activities across key areas of Bacolod City. The gaming platform will work hand in hand with the Bacolod Gugma Foundation Inc., the official organizer of this year’s Masskara Festival. 

The 18-day activation is anchored by branded booths and installations at the Bacolod City Government Complex (BCGC) and Bacolod Public Plaza, where festivalgoers can experience Casino Plus through fun games, giveaways, and other on-ground activities.

The festivities will officially kick off on October 9 with the MassKara Festival Grand Opening at the BCGC, where Casino Plus will mount a branded segment during the MasskaRAP Battle. 

“MassKara is more than a festival—it is a celebration of Bacolod’s identity, creativity, and community spirit. We are proud to be part of that celebration and to bring the Casino Plus experience closer to Bacolodnons and visitors through entertainment, music, and activities that bring people together,” said Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus.

“We want people to remember MassKara not only for the performances and festivities, but also for the moments they shared with family, friends, and the community. For us, that is what Hataw MassKara is about: creating memorable experiences while celebrating the people and culture that make Bacolod special,” added Spytma.

On October 11, Casino Plus will be part of the Miss Bacolod MassKara Coronation Night at the STI College Gymnasium. The pageant will feature the Miss Casino Plus Bacolod special award, with the winner receiving a ₱50,000 cash prize and special title recognition. The winner will also join the Electric Float Parade and be invited to attend official Casino Plus activities, adding to the excitement of this year’s MassKara celebrations.

The festivities will shift into high gear on October 16 with the Casino Plus Electric Float Parade, one of the major highlights of the festival. The branded float will feature Casino Plus brand ambassador and social media star Zeinab Harake Parks, the Miss Casino Plus Bacolod winner, and MassKara dancers, bringing the Casino Plus brand experience closer to festivalgoers.

The centerpiece of the activation will be the three-day Casino Plus concert along Lacson Street, running from October 16 to 18. Performances will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until midnight each night, offering festivalgoers three nights of entertainment as Casino Plus joins the celebration of MassKara.

On October 16, Zeinab will headline the opening night, which will also feature performances by local band Kill the Boredom, DJs Don Hinolan and John Ledesma, and drag performers Seraphine and Moi Taura.

The celebration continues on October 17 with Filipino band Moonstar88, alongside local band Dough Baby, DJs Anthony and Tianchoo, and drag performances.

The three-day concert will culminate on October 18 with Filipino girl group Showtime Baby Dolls, supported by local band Project Orange, DJ Drayrix Dincong, and more drag performances.

Casino Plus will also support the MassKara Street Dance Competition on October 18, further connecting its Hataw MassKara presence with one of the festival’s most anticipated cultural celebrations.

Hataw MassKara reflects Casino Plus’ commitment to bringing fun and entertainment closer to Filipinos through engaging on-ground and online experiences, creating memorable festival moments that bring people and communities together while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Bacolod.

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 IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.

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.

Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Finish Fourth After Valiant Asian Games Campaign

 

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls capped a hard-fought campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, finishing fourth overall after falling to Chinese Taipei, 12-2, in the battle for  bronze on October 3 at the Anjo Softball Ground. While the Filipinas narrowly missed a place on the podium, their run saw them battle through early setbacks, string together crucial victories and fight their way into medal contention.

Chinese Taipei established control early, scoring four runs in the opening inning before adding eight in the second. The Blu Girls refused to go quietly, responding with two runs in the third inning. Nicole Adra Hammoude delivered both RBIs, recording a hit and scoring once, while Mylia Isabel Perez also crossed home plate. Ma. Angelu Gabriel and Reyae Mae Villamin added a hit apiece as the Philippines finished with four hits against Chinese Taipei's 13.

Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier commended the national team for the fight and determination it showed throughout the Games. “Of course, we wanted to see the Blu Girls come home with a medal, but this campaign gave us many reasons to be proud. They faced some of the strongest teams in Asia, fought their way back after a difficult start, and never stopped competing for the flag. That resilience is what defines this team. We will continue to support them, build on everything we learned here, and keep working toward the day Philippine softball finally reaches that Asian Games podium,” Lhuillier said.

The bronze medal game brought an end to a campaign marked by resilience from the Filipinas. After opening with difficult losses to Japan and Chinese Taipei, the Blu Girls responded with three straight victories, beating Korea, 7-3, blanking Thailand, 7-0, and dominating Singapore, 10-0. A 7-0 setback against eventual finalist China followed, but the Philippines stayed in the medal hunt and defeated Hong Kong, China, 9-3, to earn its shot at bronze.

Japan ultimately claimed the women’s softball gold medal after defeating the People’s Republic of China, 7-0, in the championship game later on October 3 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The result gave Japan the top spot on the podium, while China settled for the silver medal and Chinese Taipei secured bronze following its victory over the Philippines.

With another high-level international campaign behind them, the Blu Girls leave the Games with valuable experience to build on as they continue their pursuit of a breakthrough medal for Philippine softball.

MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT Expands with New Branch in Pagsanjan, Laguna to Discover and Promote Local Filipino Talent Globally

 

 MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT (MCTM) has announced the opening of its newest branch in Pagsanjan, Laguna, scheduled for October 2026. The expansion aims to bring professional talent management and global opportunities directly to aspiring models and artists in the province.

MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT (MCTM), a rising name in the local talent management scene, has officially announced the opening of its newest branch in Pagsanjan, Laguna, this October 2026. Since its founding in June 2025, MCTM has committed itself to discovering promising Filipino models and artists, providing them with a gateway to international projects, fashion events, and global exposure.

Empowering Talents Across Laguna

The strategic decision to establish a physical branch in Pagsanjan, Laguna, stems from the agency’s recognition of the immense potential of aspiring models and artists in the province. Since a significant portion of MCTM’s current talents originate from Laguna, the new office will make professional management and training much more accessible to local artists.

By being closer to its core talents, MCTM aims to deliver specialized training and close guidance. This initiative is geared toward preparing local models and performers to confidently step onto national and global stages, connecting them with international fashion shows, brand campaigns, and multimedia productions.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Milestones

MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT has achieved remarkable growth in a relatively short period. When founder Dr. Mar Co established the agency in June 2025, operations began with managing just a single talent. Over the past year, the company has consistently scaled its capabilities, leading to the establishment of the Laguna branch as a key milestone in its journey of growth and development.

"This expansion represents an important milestone for MCTM," said Dr. Mar Co, Owner & Founder of MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT. "Laguna is home to many talented individuals with the potential to succeed on national and international platforms. Our goal is to discover, develop, and professionally manage these talents while creating opportunities for international projects, fashion events, and global exposure."

Auditions and Registration Details

While the new branch is set to open in October 2026, the official opening date and specific launch activities will be announced soon. Aspiring models and artists who wish to jumpstart their careers are encouraged to prepare for upcoming auditions, evaluations, and registrations.

Interested talents can reach out to the agency directly. Inquiries and updates regarding audition guidelines can be accessed through the official Facebook Page: MAR CO TALENT MANAGEMENT, via the owner's personal Facebook account: Mar Co, or by emailing the management team at mctm.info.us@gmail.com.

Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Beat Hong Kong, Set Sights on Historic Asian Games Bronze

 

 The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls kept their historic medal hopes alive at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, defeating Hong Kong, China, 9-3, on October 2 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The victory puts the Filipinas in position to battle Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal on October 3, giving the national team another opportunity to secure its first-ever Asian Games softball medal. The Philippines has finished fourth in each of the previous three editions of the Games.

Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier praised the Blu Girls for keeping their medal dream alive and continuing to fight after the setback against China. “This is the opportunity we have been working and fighting for. The Blu Girls have shown tremendous resilience throughout this tournament, and now they have the chance to make history for Philippine softball. We know Chinese Taipei will be a tough opponent, but I believe in this team's heart, preparation, and determination. We are behind them all the way as they give everything they have for that historic medal and for the country,” Lhuillier said.

The Blu Girls generated plenty of offense against Hong Kong, finishing with 10 hits. Ma. Angelu Gabriel led the way with three hits, an RBI, and two runs in four at-bats, while Roma Jane Cruz delivered a key performance with two hits and a team-high three RBIs. Reyae Mae Villamin drove in two runs, while Nicole Adra Hammoude and Skylynne Kopia Ellazar each drove in one run. Team captain Ma. Charlotte Sales scored twice, with Alyssa Marie Daniell, Mea Tubongbanua, Mylia Isabel Perez, and Villamin also crossing home plate.

Royevel Palma anchored the Philippines in the circle with six scoreless innings, limiting Hong Kong to four hits while striking out three without issuing a walk. Glory Alonzo entered in the seventh, with Hong Kong managing three runs, before Mary Joy Alpitche recorded the final out with a strikeout to secure the 9-3 victory.

The win also provided an immediate response to the Blu Girls' 7-0 loss to the People's Republic of China on October 1. The defeat snapped the Philippines' three-game winning streak against Korea, Thailand, and Singapore and ended its bid for a place in the gold-medal game, but the team remained in contention for a spot in the bronze-medal playoff.

The Blu Girls now turn their attention to Chinese Taipei on October 3, with a bronze medal and a chance to make Philippine softball history on the line. The matchup offers a chance for redemption after the Filipinas fell to Chinese Taipei, 10-1, earlier in the preliminary round. More importantly, a victory would finally push the Philippines onto the Asian Games podium after three consecutive fourth-place finishes in 2014, 2018, and 2022.