The Bacolod WallStory mural, a 150-meter-long community art project, that tells the story of the MassKara Festival through multiple paintings by about 50 artists and volunteers was officially unveiled Sunday, October 13.
The longest mural on the perimeter wall of the historic Hernaez mansion owned by the family of former Senator Pedro Conlu Hernaez at Mabini Street in Bacolod City, was unveiled as part of ongoing 45th MassKara Festival celebration.
“It is an open museum, not a square box gallery, for everyone to enjoy”, said internationally acclaimed Bacolod artist Charlie Co, co-founder of the Orange Project, who spearheaded the Bacolod WallStory work.
“We wanted to create something that Bacolodnons can look at and feel proud of – something that represents their history and their hopes for the future,” Co said.
“This mural isn’t just about art, it’s about telling the story of Bacolod and uniting the community through creativity”, he said.
The Bacolod WallStory “talks about our past, our present and where we are going in the future,” Candy Nagrampa, Orange Project Executive Director, said.
Murals are all over but this one really has a story, she said.
It tells the story of the city’s resilience and creativity, using bold colors and powerful imagery that connect with Bacolod’s identity as the City of Smiles.
The mural tells the story of how the festival was created to lift the people’s sprits as Bacolod was reeling from a sugar crisis and the sinking of the MV Don Juan after it collided with a fuel tanker in the waters off Romblon on April 22, 1980, where many Negrenses died.
The mural starts with paintings of the faces of sacadas made famous by artist Nunelucio Alvarado and a sugarcane field, the Don Juan tragedy followed by the birth of the MassKara Festival and its dancers wearing smiling masks at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
The mural also puts emphasis on preserving the environment and looks to the future through whimsical characters on galloping horses that are famous of Co’s paintings.
They represent artists galloping along in the art scene with hope and resilience.
There are also paintings of the founding of Bacolod City, a train with piayas as its wheels, food, the San Sebastian Cathedral and religious icons.
This large-scale artwork was a collaboration between Davies Paints, Orange Project, and over 50 local artists volunteers , reflecting Bacolod’s vibrant cultural heritage and bright future, Jo Ann Viriña, corporate communications manager of Davies Paints, said.
The project aimed to transform a frequently vandalized wall into a work of art that the community can take pride in, she said.
The unveiling was attended by Bacolod councilors Em Ang and Kalaw Puentevella, Masskara Festival 2024 Chairperson Jojie Dingcong, Gabrielle Hernaez Magsaysay Pratte, great-granddaughter of the late Senator Pedro Hernaez, and Captain Diosdado Mayo of Barangay 22.
Special recognition was given to the participating artists and volunteers.
Their dedication and selfless work have turned the wall into a meaningful piece of art that reflects the unity and spirit of Bacolod, Viriña said.
“This project is part of our commitment to transforming public spaces through color and art,” she added.
“We hope that this mural, as the longest in Bacolod, will serve as a lasting reminder of the strength, creativity, and unity of the Bacolodnons,” she said.
“I’s more than just beautiful wall – it’s a statement that public spaces belong to the community, and we all have a role in keeping them vibrant and inspiring,” Viriña said.
The Bacolod WallStory is not just an artistic display, it is also a continuation of Davies Paints’ long-standing advocacy to support local communities through public art, she said.
Councilors Puentevella and Ang thanked the artists and Davies Paints for the new cultural landmark that is expected to attract both locals and tourists.
Mayo assured that the barangay will keep a close watch on the mural so it does not fall victim to vandals.*