A flying man, in the installation, who is distinct from the other figures has his right hand across his chest and is dressed in a suit with the colors, the stars and the sun found in the Philippine flag.
Six flying figures that look like superheroes form part of the installation art, “Soaring High: The Power of Imagination,” at the fountain in front of the Bacolod City Government Center that will be unveiled during the MassKara Kick-off Salubong 4 p.m. Friday, September 30.
The installation art was conceptualized by artist Charlie Co in collaboration with Neil Benavente and 10 others for the 43rd MassKara Festival.
The inspiration of Soaring High took its flight in Dubai where Co was one of the Filipino artists featured in the Dubai World Expo last year.
“We are bringing this message home that with imagination, with resiliency and with our talents, Filipinos can make it in the global stage,” Co said.
The six flying figures look like superheroes taking off to do battle in the skies.
They are like Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who face the unknown when they decide to leave our country to provide for their families, and through perseverance and sacrifices they make it, Co said.
A flying man, in the installation, who is distinct from the other figures has his right hand across his chest and is dressed in a suit with the colors, the stars and the sun found in the Philippine flag.
“I wanted to highlight the spirit of nationalism among us…this was inspired by the singing of the national anthem when we place our right hand on our chest with pride”, Co said.
This is what he hopes to impart to Bacolodnons and the MassKara Festival visitors. “Let us celebrate our resiliency as a people. Let us be proud of our culture, let us celebrate our local talents, and let us bring back the smiles in Bacolod.”
All the figures were sculptured by Benavente and Co painted the central figure.
Bry Cervantes and RA Tijing, Jun Jun Montelibano and Jay R Delleva, BillyBoy Abonado and Ayla August, Jovito Hecita and Red Santilian, and Anika Marie Loquite with HR Campos III were paired to collaborate in painting the rest of the five flying men.
Cervantes said they also want to send a message to the world that “Bacolod artists are ready to take on the global stage, and Charlie has done that. Similarly, this is a celebration of MassKara which has earned its name globally as well and after two years under the pandemic, we are ready to soar high, we are ready to smile again.”
Co added that “in celebrating local arts, we are reminded that the MassKara Festival idea was actually conceptualized by an artist and to date, we have a new generation of artists living those ideals and sharing the magic of their art to bring smiles in our faces.”
“Soar high, think big as there are limitless possibilities around us. At the center of it all, inculcate love for self and love of country and we hope this new installation will inspire us to work for the future of our city, of our nation,” Co said.*