Passion, dedication, camaraderie love for Bacolod City and the Philippines… are the ties that binds together the Bacolod Masskara New York Edition Team.
I was fortunate to have known the group way back when they started four years ago. They started ordering from the Jojo Vito Designs Gallery masks which we sold off the shelf. I didn’t have any idea then of what they will do with the masks, all I knew was they will be wearing it on a Philippine Independence day in New York. Until the time when I was tagged with the photographs taken during the parade and they’ve won. Their first victory excites me to offer doing not only the masks bu their costume as well. Doing the costume and mask is always a challenge because I have to design something that will fit everyone; the masks has to be lightweight, unlike the masks worn by the dancers in Bacolod that weighs several kilos.
BMNYE at Madison,New York
THE BACOLOD MASSKARA NEW YORK EDITION DID IT AGAIN ,NEW JERSEY
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I felt so proud just seeing the photos and even with the private messages I received from some of the members, some of them I don’t even knew personally. The desire to see them performing live has always been in my heart, but getting a visa was never easy…hopefully in the near future.
Bacolod Masskara New York Edition made a history by winning for three consecutive years in New York. Not only that, last year they also bagged the Best Contingent and Best in Costume Trophies at the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New Jersey, an event run by the PAFCOM Philippine American Friendship Committee.
Amazing leaders of Bacolod Masskara New York Edition, Eden De la Cruz and Imelda Gargarita holding trophies New Jersey
And just today, I received an amazing news from Eden de Cruz, they’ve won again Best Performing Group Award, Best in Costumes/ Symbolic Award and Most Attended Contingent Award Philippine Independence Day Parade at Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
We Bacolenos has been so proud of the efforts done by the Bacolod Masskara New York Edition (BMNYE) Team and their families who have shown full support in this endeavor.
BMNYE at New Jersey
Congratulations to the 2015 Bacolod Masskara New York Edition Dancers:
Imelda Genovea Gargarita . Eden dela Cruz Oyco, Glory Palawar, Yvonne Barcinal , Caroline Hinlo, Arlene Hilado , Cristina Rosa, Mary Jean Malata, Monica dela Cruz, Nicole Gabayeron , Sheila Maravilla, Ashlee Maravilla, Chit Florano , Arianne Florano , Normita Jaype , Cires Dela Cruz , Bing Carisma , Darlyn Ordog, Jadelyn Ramos , Maria Corazon Lao, Susan Arangote, Moonyeen Hilado, Dulce Sanon , Maria Gloria Genovea Bermejo, Susan Banzuela , Divina Spahn Rule, Trinity Brenda Benedicto, Flora Yzarri, Susan Calimoso.
Kids dancers Shanie Oyco , Sheroden Oyco Akira Jean Bernardino , Cristina Collier , Adriana Sanon.
The happy family that is Bacolod Masskara New York Edition!
I am sure that the preparation for this annual event was never easy. But then again, it’s the friendships, family support and love for Bacolod City that made all this victories possible. With permission from Imelda Gargarita, Let me share with you her note of thanks :
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, Jojo Vito for our beautiful mask and costume, Bency Augie Sun Gonzales of Pacific Ads, Councilor Em Legaspi Ang for gracing our parade and Thelma Z. Watanabe for being our guest. Lyndon Estanol for letting me borrow his medley music.BMNYE members, donors, marchers,medics, hydration team, music/sound team, security team, photographers, Masskara princesses and the dancers. I am in such awe to see that our children were so involved in the parade.
Special shout out to Darlyn Navales Ordog and Brigid Stella Maris Tan for securing our parking tickets. The group was only supposed to get 2, but we got more than our share. Our first couple Mr. And Mrs. Archimore and Kagot Elenita Arcobillas Arigorat, advisers Vergara Sue and Nida Villa Cruz. Our friends who traveled far just to be with us and of course the core group Without them we will not be able to pull it through and lastly my beloved hubby who put up with me and my demands. If I miss anybody forgive me, I am humbled and thankful to belong to this group. I will leave you with this, “if you lose today, win tomorrow. In this never ending spin of a challenge is found the heart of a victor”. BMNYE will always be a champion in my heart!
PAST PERFORMANCES OF BACOLOD MASSKARA NEW YORK EDTION:
Photo by Arlene Hilado
Brigid Tan is the chair of the New York MassKara dancers. The other dancers are Caroline Aguilar-Hinlo, Eden de la Cruz-Oyco, Arlene Hilado, Cristina dela Tina-Rosa, Rachel Montes-Robles, Gloria Guanzon-Palawar, Darlene Ordog, Lani Cuenca, Candy Genovea-Wagner, Glecy Bingcang-Hermogenes, Liza Benares, Normita Weisberg, Liberty Manzano, Cires de la Cruz, Yvonne Calansingin-Barcinal, Radjilyn Gallo-Nifras, Moonyen Dorliac-Hilado, Christie Su, Sheila Maravilla, Joy Canada-Gonzales, Girlie Montecino, Susan Vergara-Lirazan, Susan Arangote, Susan Banzuela, Jessel de la Cruz, Adelfa Degala, Ross Sayson, Christine Sy, and Milag Torres.
2013 Philippine Independence Day
2014 Bacolod Masskara New York Edition
One day I’ll go to New York and see the pride of Bacolod in the streets of the most amazing City in the World. #Advertising
Congratulations to the Bacolod Masskara New York Edition dancers! Ang galing!
Makkara is a famous festival here in the Philippines. Upon looking at your post, I realized it’s a New York version pala. Did you made those masks? I looks so intricate. I like their clothes too, it’s like the color of our flag.
I like that they kept the tradition and festivities alive even outside of Bacolod.
Wow, so nice talaga the traditions ng Philippines! Ano ba yan, daming pwedeng gawin and puntahan sa Bacolod! woohoo!!! Sir, sana po dito naman kayo sa Manila.
I grew up abroad and we also celebrate different festivities yearly and other nationalities really admire our dedication and spirit for this kind of events. We accept modernization without forgetting our culture and traditions.
I like how our kababayans continue to do traditions & celebrate Filipino festivals even if they’re in another country. Nakakatuwa dahil kahit nasa ibang bansa sila, hindi nila nakakalimutan ang pagiging Pilipino.
I will tell my parents about this news. Its a good way of uniting Filipinos abroad. I am a frustrated TNT
Wow may ganito pala sa states. I should inform my parents and they should join here as well.
I didn’t know you make masks. Anyways, these are beautiful!! Congratulations! 🙂