If there is one thing that I like about how the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation presented this year’s Miss Bacolod MassKara finalists to the public, I’d say it is the rawness and genuineness of each lady who had her own unique story to tell that resonated with everyone who witnessed the first public appearance and official sashing of the candidates.
Presenting the 15 finalists through a short video that revealed not just their individual interests but also their struggles in life and aspirations has humanized them and made them even more relatable to people and connect with ordinary Bacolodnons who may have the same experiences or have conquered similar challenges.
One finalist grew up under the care of her grandmother because her parents are both Overseas Filipino Workers. Another finalist helps her mother cook and sell puto kutsinta in order to make ends meet for their family.
This year’s Darling of the Press works as a cashier in a hardware store. She is 22-year-old Janine Cabrillos who impressed the local media with her answer when asked about her concept of a Super City.
“It is a city with a progressive economy but not just focusing on the economy alone but also having better facilities provided to its people. It is a city wherein the people have a lot of opportunities for employment. It is a place where the government, the people and the private sector work hand in hand,” said Cabrillos who said the press presentation was an opportunity for her to prove herself to other people.
Business Administration student and athlete Jada Biaxyl Celeste shared that opening up her life to the public and joining the pageant are really new to her.
“I thought at first that I really had this confidence within me but entering this new field, made me see that in order for us to inspire people, we have to share our stories. There are also a lot of criticisms we have received from people especially from those who think negatively of pageants but it allowed me to find myself and the new advocacy that I have,” said Celeste.
Elli Rose Elola calls herself a “pageantera” or a woman who frequently joins beauty pageants, shared how the pandemic has also affected her mental health.
“I’ve been very depressed. I sought help from my teacher because we could not afford a psychiatrist. That is also the reason why I am an advocate of mental health awareness because I’ve been there. It is very hard. We have to really take care of our mental health the same way we take care of our physical health. We must always remember that we are our brain and our brain is us,” added Elola.
It was kind of heavy watching the stories of these young ladies during their first press and public presentation at the Atrium of SM City Bacolod, Sunday. However, seeing what these women went through and are going through also made me proud of them, being a woman who also has my own share of struggles. They all admitted that it was not easy for them to open up their lives to the public but they all understand also that having joined the prestigious pageant, they are now under public scrutiny.
AB Communication student Marianel Tan pointed out how important it is for everyone to help make social media a safe space for everyone because it can be used to harm people.
“Social media is such a great platform for us to be able to express ourselves. It is a platform where we can showcase our talents and advocacies as well. It’s really important that we are able to create a safe space for everyone on social media and that we should be responsible and accountable,” explained Tan.
Student leader Georgette Ysabelle Millan’s advocacy is sustainable fashion, being a lady who is fond of thrift things.
“A lot of people really compliment my outfits because it looks ‘so slay’ everyday but they don’t know that it only costs P10 and I always upcycle my clothes by sewing them which became a hobby of mine at the height of the pandemic. It became my advocacy because I found out in the process that the fashion industry is one of the industries that contributes more to pollution. Thrift stores do not only encourage us to do the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), but these stores also offer clothing and accessories to the marginalized sector,” said Millan.
Their individual stories revealed their strength and the rawness of these ladies and how candid they were in answering the questions thrown by members of the local press displayed their authenticity which to me, are what make all 15 of them uniquely and genuinely beautiful.
FESTIVE FACES
Undeniably, the MassKara flurry of activities have begun. I think it would be safe to say that a MassKara Festival will not be complete without the man behind Bacolod’s iconic masks taking part in it.
Entrepreneur and renowned mask maker Jojo Vito’s vibrant and glamorous are on exhibit in Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod until November 22.
The exhibit entitled “Festive Faces”, that opened Sunday, features 14 intricately-designed, colorful but equally beautiful masks that speak of the fun, festive and gregarious nature of the world-renowned festival. My personal favorites include the Reina mask which is a tribute to the MassKara Queens of Bacolod, one that celebrates not only the physical beauty of an MQ but also her intelligence, serving as an inspiration to the city’s young women.
Luna – Pink Mask is another favorite of mine. Its name is derived from the Latin term for moon. Vitos said the mask symbolizes more than just a celestial body but just like the moon’s universal presence, it acts as a unifying force that transcends borders and cultures. It mirrors the strong sense of community and fellowship among Bacolodnons.
There’s the Haciendera Mask in red and gold that according to the artist, evokes the lavish lifestyle of the privileged in Negros’ golden era. Haciendera is a Spanish term used to refer to female landowners.
Meanwhile, the Diwata Mask, according to the mask maker, embodies the Negrense ethos of finding strength in imagination and dreamscapes which is an integral part of the rich cultural mosaic that defines the identity of Negrenses.
Completing my top 5 picks is the Gloria Mask. Gloria is a Latin word which means glory. The mask in hues of gold, red, pink and black and accentuated with feathers, pays tribute to the MassKara Festival, an event that brought Bacolod to the global tourism stage.
“The masks were meticulously crafted with a rich narrative and purpose. Each design draws inspiration from the historical, cultural and behavioral facets of Bacolodnons and Negrosanon communities, as well as the unique personality of the designer. The masks were skillfully fashioned using a combination of fiberglass and a diverse array of materials that include shells sourced from Sagay, intricately embroidered laces, delicate feathers, glitters and various fabrics,” said Vito.
The artist’s intention behind the mask designs is to preserve their originality, ensuring that each remains one-of-a-kind. You have to see the exhibit for yourself for it is a sight to behold!*
