THE MASK

I was once sad and lonely,

Having nobody to comfort me,

To hide my feelings behind a lie.

Before long, I had many friends;

With my mask, I was one of them.

But deep inside, I still felt empty,

Like I was missing a part of me.

Nobody could hear my cries at night

For I designed my mask to hide the lies.

Nobody could see the pain I was feeling

For I designed my mask to be laughing.

Behind all the smiles were the tears

And behind all the comfort were the fears.

Everything you think you see,

Wasn't everything there was to me.

Day by day,

I was slowly dying.

I couldn't go on,

There was something missing..

Until now I'm still searching

For the thing that'll stop my crying.

For someone who'll erase my fears,

For the person who'll wipe my tears.

But till then I'll keep on smiling.

Hiding behind this mask I'm wearing.

Hoping one day I can smile,

Till then, I'll be here.. waiting.

Proud to be a Negrense. Forever Hari ng Negros.

The Hari ng Negros Organization sincerely thanks Don Ado Escudero and Patis Tesoro for making our Masskara experience very enjoyable and memorable.

THE MAGIC OF MASSKARA

Negrenses have known the world over for being creative and fun-loving people.

And no other festival in Negros can attest to these qualities than the Masskara of Bacolod City.

Elaborate costumes, from head to foot adorn the revelers.

Making this one of the most well-attended

and photographed festivals in the Philippines.

It is also an opportunity for the princes of Negros to get together (Hari Ralph is on leave taking up his review classes in Nursing) and paint the town red once again.

Speaking of painting, Prince of Silay Carlos Ruiz and the Silay United Group of Artists (SUGA) had their annual Masskara exhibit this time at the Sea Breeze Hotel.

This is one of Carlos' Masskara paintings,

which were all sold out after just a few hours of the opening.

Using another form of medium, Carlos made this unique, resin Masskara mounted on a portrait frame.

One very interesting piece is this single, continuous metal wire Masskara of Ian Valladarez.

We could not help but try on these Masskaras for ourselves.

Ahhh, the revelry of Masskara.

A time for the City of Smiles to once again show the world the creative power of the Negrense.

While enjoying the gastronomic feasts they have to offer.

There are also many pageants during the Masskara. One of them is Miss Teen Masskara held at the Gaisano City mall. Here is Paul Capulso awarding one of the prizes.

Was a kiss part of the prize? Or just another chance to kiss another pretty girl on stage.

Many local actors graced the Masskara festival. Here with Capitan Boom, Jon Avila.

And Kapuso stars Angelica de la Cruz and JC De Vera (who looks like Hari ng Negros 2003 Emman Labirua's long lost twin brother.)

The 2008 Princes in front of SM Bacolod.

With Nick Garbanzos, Prince of Bago City 2007

The SM Bacolod City Masskara exhibit and sale.

With Masskara Queen Angelique Robles.

Outside L'Fisher hotel with Andrew Briz, Prince of Toboso 2006.

Partying til the wee hours of the morning at MU SHU Bar on Lacson St. with DJ Reebok.

The Masskara is full of magic. Once it casts it spell on you, you would want to come back every year for more.

Proud to be a Negrense. Forever Hari ng Negros.