• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Members of the Negrense Artists Circle Inc. (NACI) opened a group exhibit of hand painted masks at the McCafé of McDonald’s The Upper East in Bacolod City on Saturday, as the city celebrates MassKara Festival.
Titled “MassKara….Gifting Smiles”, the show features the creations of Alden Macazar, Christopher Fernandez, Doreen Dofitas, Dynalyn Tan, Jerrylin Mangao, Joey Cabiles, Michelle Ma Belle Tupaz-Corteza, Olive Torres, Sherryann Quivis, Sherwyn Cadianza, and Wara Ichi.
The word “MassKara” is a portmanteau, coined by the late Negrense artist Ely Santiago from “mass” (a multitude of people), and the Spanish word “cara” (face), thus forming MassKara (a multitude of faces).
The mask is a prominent feature of the festival, worn by participants who are always adorned with smiling faces because Bacolod is called “The City of Smiles.”*
