Globe Strengthens Bacolod’s 5G Network as the City of Smiles Celebrates MassKara Festival 2025

BACOLOD CITY, October 2025 – As Bacolod celebrates the MassKara Festival, Globe powers the celebration with reliable, high-speed 5G connectivity, underscoring its strong support for the City of Smiles.

More than a celebration of music and masks, MassKara represents the Bacolodnon spirit of resilience and optimism. This same spirit drives Globe to keep building stronger, faster, and more meaningful connections that enable progress and empower communities.

“MassKara is all about joy, connection, and resilience, the same values that define Globe,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe. “We’re proud to bring world-class connectivity, including Globe 5G, to Bacolod, so everyone can share their stories, celebrate, and go forward together.”

This year, Globe is ensuring that every smile and every story from MassKara can be shared in real time through expanded 5G coverage across Bacolod City. To support the surge of festival-goers, the company has boosted network capacity through additional broadband lines in major activity zones, including Lacson Street, SM Bacolod, Robinsons, Paglaum Sports Complex, and the Public Plaza. These enhancements guarantee smooth livestreams, quick uploads, and seamless connectivity throughout the celebrations.

Bacolod and Negros Occidental now have more than 300 Globe cell sites, including 5G, providing fast and dependable coverage across the province. In 2025, Globe is expanding further with more than 30 5G improved sites, reinforcing Bacolod’s position as a 5G-powered digital hub in the Visayas.

Across Negros Oriental, Globe operates over 100 sites, bringing the total to nearly 600 Globe cell sites across the island. This makes Negros one of the most connected provinces in the country, supporting both everyday life and large-scale events like MassKara.

To complement its network upgrades, Globe is enhancing the festival experience through the GlobeOne app, which serves as an all-in-one digital companion for visitors. From October 17 to 19, festival-goers can drop by the Globe Festival Experiential Platform along Lacson Street to spin the “Wheel You Win,” redeem Globe Rewards for personalized MassKara merchandise, join the GFiber’Oke and enjoy fun games and raffles.

Arriving passengers at the Bacolod-Silay Airport from October 13 to 17 are also welcomed by Globe SIM booths, helping them stay connected from the moment they land. The celebration peaks on October 17 with the G Music Fest at Capitol Lagoon, featuring performances by The Dukes, Earl Agustin, and Infinite Ridge, bringing together locals and visitors for a night of music, smiles, and connection.

Globe’s partners GCash, Jollibee and Pettr add more excitement through on-ground activities, prizes, and exclusive experiences that make MassKara brighter and more connected than ever.

As the festivities conclude, Globe’s network continues to drive Bacolod’s growth in tourism, education, retail, and logistics. With each new 5G build, Globe helps ensure that the city’s smiles stay connected, strong, and future-ready.

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Dare to Switch: LIFT Brings the Challenge to MassKara 2025

Bacolod, Philippines, 16 October 2025– This year’s MassKara Festival is about to get even more exciting as LIFT, the newest drink from Coca-Cola Philippines, joins the celebration with its first major festival activation. From October 17 to 19, festival-goers can visit the LIFT booth along Lacson Street and take on the brand’s signature “Dare to Switch” challenge, a call to embrace new experiences and celebrate every mode of life.

The booth will feature a lineup of fast-paced games and challenger activities designed to bring out everyone’s competitive side. Participants can race against the clock, beat high scores, and win exclusive prizes in true LIFT fashion: bold, confident, and always ready for what’s next.

Visitors can also drop by for free samples of LIFT and join interactive mini-games throughout the weekend. Whether you are with your barkada, your team, or just exploring on your own, the LIFT booth promises a fun, high-spirited stop where you can unwind, play, and switch things up.

Do not miss the chance to Dare to Switch this MassKara. Visit the LIFT booth on Lacson Street, join the challenge, enjoy your free drink, and take part in the celebration.

Follow LIFT Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for updates and festival highlights.

Dare to Switch: LIFT — The New Drink for the Always‑On Generation

Bacolod, Philippines, 23 September 2025-- Life these days? It’s a constant switch up. One minute you’re grinding on school or work, next you’re vibing with your crew, then jumping into an all-night game or passion project. Filipinos are pros at shifting modes—and now there’s a new drink in town made exactly for that: LIFT! 

Meet LIFT—Coca-Cola Philippines’ newest drink for the modern-day challengers. It isn’t your usual fizzy drink. LIFT Is like a mindset in a can, a new invigorating drink made to match your pace, your flow, your hustle, and your chill. It’s for the go-getters who are always in motion, whether they’re students owning a new semester, professionals chasing a promotion, or creators building their passion projects on the side.

Made with Vitamin B3, Zinc, and Caffeine, LIFT is more than a quick pick-me-up. It’s crafted to help you lock in and stay sharp, giving you the focus and extra push to own your every mode. It’s not about chasing energy; it’s about owning your (“LIFT”) mode. The newest, coolest drink in town isn’t here to play it safe. It’s bold, versatile, and built for multi-hyphenates—people who run the show in different arenas and still find time to show up.

“With LIFT, we’re giving today’s generation a drink that’s as adaptable as they are,” said Frenissa Mae Lagman, Frontline Marketing Senior Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “It’s for people who play different roles and still find a way to make every moment count. LIFT is here to help you get int your zone and make a statement with every step you take.”

Leading the charge is Ruru Madrid—actor, performer, and a true multi-mode player. Whether he’s on set, on stage, or just hanging out with friends, Ruru embodies the “LIFT” Vibe: always ready, always in motion, and always bringing his A-game. 

Whatever your mode—study mode, hustle mode, game mode, barkada mode—switch it up with LIFT. Get your first taste for just PHP 11 SRP at sari-sari stores across Western Visayas.

Ready to conquer what’s next? Dare to switch to LIFT.

Want in on more “LIFT” Mode stories? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and join the convo or visit https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en. #LIFTModeNaYan

Negros Season of Culture takes on Old World Charm

Old World Charm

It’s never the ancestral house itself, not even the intricate wood carvings no matter their uniqueness and value, but the stories of lives lived and interwoven within these structures. These provide the romance, the appeal, the Old World charm of Negrense heritage.

November 5 being a provincial holiday in Negros Occidental, celebrating history and patriotism depicted in the declaration of the Negros Republic more than a century ago, the Negros Season of Culture chooses to spotlight the Old World charm of Negrense culture.

We have three features of note. Greg Urra, born and raised in Bacolod City, embraces fashion from old cultures and turns them into pop. Greg’s creations, under the brand name Vintage Black Label, are regularly featured at the Manhattan Vintage Show. See his great concoctions in our story, Old Culture, Pop Culture.

Old Culture, Pop Culture

A great story on heritage home restoration is our feature, Faith, Family, Food. Found in historic Silay City, just north of Bacolod, the house of Jose “Pitong” Ledesma and wife, Anita Locsin, has recently been restored to its glorious origins. And it will be adapted to new use, as Negrense restaurateur Tony Boy Escalante (of Tagaytay’s Antonio’s and Balay Dako) has leased the property from the Ledesma family.

Over Fields of Dreams

Finally, down south, in Binalbagan town, we have an outstanding example of adaptive reuse. The ancestral house of Carmen Yulo and husband, Sabas Locsin, has since been acquired by a school. In Over Fields of Dreams, we get insights on how modern-day work functions can exist side by side heritage features.