Masskara Festival: a Tribute to Happiness

Ever heard of a weeklong festivity that gives local and foreign visitors the chance of a lifetime to drink and be merry? Nothing beats the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City. Call it a combination of the Mardi Gras and the Oktoberfest where you will find a huge parade and a lot of drinking. The Masskara Festival is a hip escape from the insanity of the world into colorful days of outrageous partying.

The term Masskara is created from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word cara, for face; thus the double meaning for "mask" and "many faces". It was coined by Ely Santiago, a painter, cartoonist, and cultural artist, who devoted show in his art works the many faces of Negrenses overwhelmed with various crises.

Masskara festival was first conceived in 1980 to add color and gaiety to the Bcolod City's celebration of its Charter Day anniversary, on 19 October. The symbol of the festival - a smiling mask - was adopted by the organizers to dramatize the Negrenses happy spirit, despite periodic economic downturns in the sugar industry. It was intended as an encouragement to all to fight back and to keep smiling despite the sugar problems, and highlighted that hope still existed. Since then, the smiling masks have become the city's symbol, thus earning its tag as the "City of Smile." The festival instills among the people the culture of escapism and obscurantism, where they have to accept and forget their sufferings caused by the exploitation and oppression of the landlords.

The term Masskara is coined from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word cara, for face; thus the double meaning for "mask" and "many faces".
Masks are the order of the day at the Masskara parade, as brightly-costumed men and women dance and prance in the streets. Their beaming faces are be-dimpled, grinning and laughing in molded clay or papier-mache.

This annual festival, which has become one of Philippines best known tourist attraction, has been earning raves both from local and foreign tourists. Masskara Festival has also been judged the most beautiful and colorful festival among the various contingents from other countries. This year, the one week long celebration in Bacolod start on October 11 until October 19.

The celebration of Masskara Festival continues at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Philippine Embassy Riyadh KSA on October 24, 2008 wherein SE Productions, will feature the said festival as the opening segment during the Coronation Night of Ginoo and Binibining Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2008.

Filipinos, wherever they may be, are called the people of happy smiling faces. S.E. Productions would be more contented to see smiles fitting across the face of Filipinos in Riyadh despite of being away from their homeland

Visit the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and celebrate with a smile on October 24!

FORMER FINALIST OF "STAR IN A MILLION" TO PERFORM DURING THE CORONATION NIGHT

Veejay Aragon, is a former Ang TV Cebu talent who was a wild card addition to the Champions League of 12 of ABS-CBN’s Search for a Star in a Million.

But even before Veejay got into the league, nobody thought he would seriously audition for Search for the Star in a Million. Although he’s already had a year of television exposure and training in acting in Ang TV Cebu, he was never confident of his singing. He’s always been known more as a dancer, having been an active member of the San Diego Dance Company in Cebu where he mastered different styles in dancing—far from the singing image he now so avidly wants to pursue. Girls just can’t help but go wild whenever he starts to do his moves and tease them with his stance and energy.

Born in the laid back and serene city of Juana Osmena Cebu city, Veejay is a late bloomer in singing. His interest in singing started when he passed the audition in a theater production way back in high school. Though it was just a 3-minute role, his vocal gusto had been awakened. He’s never been confident with his singing, without any formal voice training and with the trauma of subjective and often unkind criticism from family and friends. “Nag-iingay ka lang kapag kumakanta ka,” was a comment he never forgot. He used the emotional trauma to add emotion to his dancing and singing. It was in his 4th year of highschool that he seriously decided to prove all those that didn’t believe in him wrong and pursue what he’s always enjoyed.



His eagerness in joining singing competitions was the same intensity in how he’d study his every dance move when he’d perform. But losing at times made him doubt his chosen craft. As many would say “Baka naman di ka pang kantahan, mas bagay ka sa sayaw.” Applying the principles of dancing to singing, Veejay practiced and practiced until he mastered his piece. Soon enough, he was defying naysayers left and right, turning the “Nyeee’s” to “Ahhh’s”.



Search for the Star in a Million made Veejay’s dream of becoming a singer into reality.



He would like to be identified not just for his melodious voice but also for his versatility and upbeat style in singing which is mostly a fusion of pop and alternative, being a bit of a rocker himself.



In Sept. 2006, Veejay was included in the cast of Footloose musical along with Jay-R, Myx VJ Iya Villania, Jonard Yanzon and Gian Magdangal of vocal group 17:28, ABS-CBN talents Nikki Valdez, Maoui David, Search for the Star in A Million co- Finalist Daniel Cabrera, MTV VJ Hunt finalist Marvin Luna, Caissa Borromeo, Monica Reynoso, Kyla Rivera, Dara David, Pom Docena, Johann dela Fuente, Andrei Pamintuan, Felix Rivera, Sen Nichols, Kenjie Villacorte, and JC Gotinga.

Presently, he is working in Riyadh.

Watch Vee-jay performs during the Grand Coronation Night of the Search for Ginoo and Binibining Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2008 at the Liwasang Bonifacio Philippine Embassy, Riyadh K.S.A. on Ocotber 24, 2008.

MR. & MISS PHOTOGENIC VOTING IS NOW OPEN!

TO VOTE FOR YOUR CANDIDATES, CLICK HERE

DEADLINE FOR VOTING WILL BE ON OCTOBER 22, 2008 AT 9:00 PM (SAUDI TIME)

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

EL-CIRCULOS - RIYADH
DESERT FOX SHOOTERS - JEDDAH
DESERT FOX - AL KHOBAR

and E.M. SERRANO for the LAYOUT

National Day is Pictorial Day for Central Region

September 23 is a National Day in Saudi Arabia, but for fourteen (14) official candidates from Central Region for the Ginoo and Binibining Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2008, it is a special day when they met face-to-face the nine (9) "El-Circulo" photographers who will help the public decide the Mr. & Miss Photogenic Award thru internet voting.

The photo sessions started at 11:00 a.m. and they had a chance to shoot the contestants individually, lasted until 6:00 p.m.

Last week, The Desert Fox Shooters held their photo sessions with the Eastern and Western Province contestants and with the Central Region's finally completing the photoshoots of their contestants, hopefully the internet voting will start within next week.

Light..Camera...Project!

Photographers get their camera ready for the pictorials
Photo by Jojo de Luna






In Riyadh, after their scheduled training and rehearsals, the Filipino Artists Photography Circle, or simply El Cirkulo, made their pictorial tryout to some of the Central Regions contestants last Friday.

At first, some contestants were too shy to face the camera, but later on, they started to show their best shots and it was easy for the photographers capturing their different expressions after they have seen some of the astonishing and convincing shots.




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Simultaneously in Jeddah, the 6 official candidates for the Ginoo at Binibining Pilipinas endured the yet so far most exhilarating but most exciting moments of their life during the 8-hour photo shoot organized by SEP-Jeddah and Desert Fox Shooters-Jeddah held at Chairman Jhun Abris residence.

The 3 Binibining Jeddah and 3 Ginoong, stroked their best pose for photographers June Adonis, Jun Amancio, Edison Madrideo, Edner Robles and Wayne Cruz, all members of Desert Fox Shooters.

The photo session was also well supported by the candidate’s parents as well as SE Productions new make-up artist, Mr. Dani Vergel.







An overnight stay by the Eastern Province’s contestants and photographers in a private resort paved way for adept brainstorming and more profound ideas regarding the Black and Gold concepts of this year’s GBBPSA’s photo sessions.

As early as 5:30 pm last Thursday, Edwin Mercado, bunched up the photographers and the contestants then proceed to their location shooting. Equipped with tripods, studio lights and cameras, the “Desert Fox Shooters- Eastern Province” photographers were able to haul out from the contestants the best in fashion photoshoots.

Thursday night seemed never to end from the continuous and simultaneous flashing of light bulbs which lasted until 5:30 AM.

With less than 2 hours rest after the pictorials, the next activity has to start. Despite of the exhausting yet enjoyable pictorials, the candidates had to undergo the workshop that focused on the following topics: a) The Winning Walk b) Poise, Grace and Mannerism c) Pivots and Running Techniques d) Stage Presence and e) Mental Preparation and Confidence Building.

It was indeed a fun-filled weekend for all the official candidates from the Eastern Region and their enthusiasm in performing their best was felt by the photographers, parents and organizers, like burning flame.



The photo shoot for all regions was held to determine the Ginoo at Bb Pilipinas, special award - Miss and Mr. Photogenic which will be selected via Internet voting to be posted at the official blog of Ginoo and Binibining Pilipinas 2008 by September 28, 2008 (before the Ramadan holidays)

There will also be a "Photographer's Choice Award" in each region, to be chosen by the photographers in every region.

Training Starts!

From riyadh audition

Developing confidence is not an easy task, nor is it without reward.

Mr. Ron Jacobe, the seasoned director of GBBPSA, along with some SE Officers, started the workshop of the candidates in the Central Region last Friday, September 12, 2008.

The candidates were privileged to get some tips on how to increase their confidence and make bolder actions especially during conversations and interviews from the Toastmaster’s Middle East grand champion.

Central Region Official Candidates!

In Central Region, men of different professions dominate the official contestants of the Ginoong Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2008. A sales supervisor, visual artist, HR payroll specialist and a tea boy are among the potential winner of Ginoo title this year.

Since 2004, all Ginoo winners were from the Central Region. This year, six (6) Riyadh male candidates will try to keep the coveted title since they have good chances of winning the title for the 5th time.

Meanwhile, the six (6) Binibini hopefuls, mostly had experiences in beauty contests, desire to win the Binibini title which was unsuccessfully achieved by the Central Region for the last two consecutive years. A former Mutya ng Pilipinas aspirant, a beauty title holder in school, a nurse and a product model are among the possible contenders for the Binibini title.

Here are the official candidates:

Ginoo


Leonard B. Babiera
Age: 23 years old
Height: 5’7”
Profession : Teaboy
Home Province: Palawan



Jackie Chan M. Calderon
Profession: Visual Artist
Height: 5’6”
Home Province: Manila


Johnny c. Fabricante Jr.
Age: 27
Height: 6’
Profession: HR Specialist
Home Province: Quezon


Rodel Luceno
Age: 25
Height: 5’8”
Profession: Salesman
Home Town: Cavite


Jimmy Castro
Age: 25
Height: 5’9”
Profession: Admin Staff
Home Province: Caloocan City


Christian L. Carlos
Age: 15
Height: 5’11”
Profession: student
Home Province: Pampanga


Binibini



Christine Marie Bayocboc
Age: 23
Height: 5’4”
Profession: Nurse
Home Province: Zamboanga City


Lou Gladys N. Hermoso
Age: 24
Height: 5’7”
Profession: Nurse
Home Province: Atimonan Quezon


Heartlene F. Alvarado
Age: 14
Height: 5’3”
Profession: Student



Harriette C. Quiambao
Age: 15
Profession: Student
Height: 5’2”
Home Province: Pampanga

From riyadh audition

Carmina Louise C. Aragon
Profession: Student
Height: 5’4”
Home Province: Manila

Eastern Region Official Candidates!

Nowadays, it seems impossible to see young people who do not only possess beautiful faces and beautiful minds. But this rarity was thrown into ashes when six (6) young lovely ladies and gorgeous gentlemen were chosen to represent Eastern Region in the much awaited 5th anniversary presentation of SE Productions, the Search for Ginoo and Binibining Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2008 at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Philippine Embassy Riyadh on October 24, 2008.

Edwin Mercado, SE Productions organizer in Al-Khobar, proves once again that Eastern Region can replicate the feat that they had in 2006 when their representative, Zena Marie Thirlwall, who is now determine to join the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant in Manila, won unanimously the prestigious Bb. Pilipinas Saudi Arabia 2006.

All Binibini contestants are high school students from various Philippine Schools in Eastern Region, while two of Ginoo candidates are overseas workers.

The official candidates are:


Ginoo:


Jay-R S. Vargas
Al-Khobar
Age: 24 years old
Profession: Accounting Clerk at the Gulf Union Insurance Co.
Height:5’7”
Home Province: Nueva Ecija.


Paul Anthony C. Castro
Dammam
Age: 20 years old
Profession: student of New York Institute of Technology in Bahrain
Height: 5’9”
Home Province: Bataan


Glem John M. Gomez
Dammam
Age: 15 years old
Profession: student at the Philippine School in Dammam,
Height: 5’6”
Home Province: Olongapo


Mark Anthony M. Manalo
Dhahran
Age: 24 years old
Profession: Service Crew at the Pan’s Co. – Mall of Dhahran,
Height: 5’8”
Home Province: Tarlac


Paul D. Remolacio
Dammam
Age: 17 years old
Profession: student of Philippine School in Dammam,
Height: 5’8”
Home Province: Quezon City .


Jesrael Reie P. Agito
Dammam
Age: 15 years old
Profession: Student at the Philippine School in Dammam
Height: 5’4”
Home Province: Nueva Viscaya.


Binibini:


Pauline Antonette C. Castro
Dammam
Height: 5’4”
Home Province: Bataan


Anne Charizyll G. De Lara
Dammam
Height: 5’3”
Home Province: Cavite City .



Shanyle Ivy Grace C. Dumanhog
Al Khobar
Height: 5’3
Home Province: Iloilo City .


Aljera Mae M. Montano
Dammam
Height: 5’3”
Home Province: Kaloocan City .


Dagny Mariel Lee T. Franco
Al-Khobar
Height: 5’2”
Home Province: Quezon City


Edzel Chelsea B. Estrella
Dammam
Height: 5’3”
Home Province: Bulacan

Photos by: jojo de luna