The Colors of MassKara!
October 17, 2005 by admin
It was my first time to visit Bacolod City and shoot the Masskara.. here are a few of my favorite photos
I guess i should start by showing a typical mask..
The term ‘Masskara‘ was derived from the word ‘Mass,’ which means a multitude of people and the Spanish word ‘Kara’ which means face. Thus, Masskara means the “face of the masses.”
From the Sunstar:
THE MassKara Festival began in 1980 amid an overwhelming crises aggravated by the downfall in the prices of sugar in the world market, the heart-breaking mv Don Juan sea tragedy, and the worsening peace and order situation that threatened not just Negros, the Philippines’ sugar capital, but the whole country as a whole.
It was when the situation was so dire and hopeless that the indomitable spirit of the Negrenses emerged, galvanizing the people to overcome the gloom and celebrate life!
Happy grins were then carved in paper mache to hide the despair and grief behind the masks.
Thus, the hope for a brighter tomorrow was born.
When shooting the masskara.. you will meet a few faces and one of them would be Celito..a
vendor/dancer/clown/etc
Will set up the full gallery soon watch out for more! 
Gear Used:
Nikon D70 with 28-70 F2.8
Nikon D70 with 80-200 F2.8
This photos were shot with a D70 using the provia curves.. AND NOT A CANON 20D!!!
I’ve gotten a few emails asking me if i used a CANON.. answer is no.. no.. no..
nice pic bro! ganda! sayang di ako naka uwi…ang bungal na yan matagal nang sikat yan tuwing masskara! hehe..
Beautiful! Very Colorful! I’d like to see more Filipino Festivals if you can cover them, ati-atihan, sinulog, pahiyas or higantes
Did you see Jose? I wonder if he even went out. Siguro nung gabi lang to drink =)
Really nice, Anton! A lot of times the colors of Masskara don’t always match. Looks like this year someone made the right call with the colors
This guy in the nice portrait is a Masskara legend! He’s the token Painted Guy every year!
Hey Anton, congrats! Your winning photo is great,the facial expression itself telss it all. Your other fiesta shots are also awesome, including your masskara shots. Proud ako, hindi lang great shooter, great photographer pa gyud, without question. Keep it up bay.
Great pics!
i wonder if there is a site where i can grab the masskara theme? i was there
but the frenzy must have caused me to forget to have a copy of that “soundtrack”.
i would love to use it as background music to my album.
even asked VT pipol if they can help, wala pang sagot:
http://forum.virtualtourist.com/2/discussion-195503-1-1-Travel-0-1794-Philippines-discussion.html?wosid=Wb76Vtt1KWb3VcOFw9r3xM
i shot a lot of the villamonte group (thai costume 2nd pic above) never
realizing it was to be the runaway winner in almost everything!
also bought the yellow partner of the red-feathred mask (1st pic above) for
P500!