THE humble face mask is seen to be a staple of our “new normal” arsenal in the next few months, amid the ongoing concern of COVID-19.
Most local government units have already set safeguards and ordinances that require the wearing of masks when in public spaces, as quarantine restrictions are being relaxed around the country. Iloilo City itself was an early adopter, passing an ordinance obliging the use of masks as early as April.
Research from the University of California, Davis shows that, with the proper use of face masks, the risk of infection to the wearer is decreased by as much as 65 percent.
Coupled with effective social distancing, if both an asymptomatic carrier and the people around him/her are wearing face masks, the risk of transmitting the virus can be decreased by a staggering 90 percent.
Keep that in mind the next time you think of skipping wearing your surgical mask or cloth mask – or more annoyingly, improperly wearing it in public (I’m taking about you, people who wear their mask with their nose and mouth out for extended periods of time).
However, for the style-savvy Ilonggos, the standard surgical masks and cloth masks have proven too clinical, dull even – with a handful of homegrown artists and designers from this “City of Love” choosing to express themselves even through facemasks. Even through this difficult time, the creativity and artistry of the Ilonggos shines through.
Ilonggo fashion designer and ingénue Jeff Ticao was among the early innovators, introducing his now viral Patadyong and Hablon face masks a few months ago. Featuring the quintessentially Ilonggo fabrics, they were an immediate hit among the city’s locals.
With designs inspired by Iloilo’s rich history and cultural, Ticao has taken to naming a few of his mask redesigns after classic Ilonggo icons – like “Mariquit” after Maria Javellana, the late wife of Fernando Lopez; “Rosita,” inspired by Rosita Caballero, one of the last binukots of the Panay Bukidnon tribe of Calinog; and “Inmaculada” after the architectural beauty of the parish of the Immaculate Conception in Oton, destroyed in 1948 by the “Lady Caycay” earthquake.
Meanwhile, Daniel Tinagan of BKNWA fame has gone on a more street style direction, collaborating with local apparel brand Courier to bring his signature graphic style from his now famous art shirts to the everyday facemask.
A first set of three designs feature mandala-like imagery in striking psychedelic colors. A personal pick of mine is the “Oni” masks, featuring fangs reminiscent of its namesake ogre made famous by Japanese folklore.
‘MASKS FOR ALL’
Just last month, a group of Ilonggo artists raised more than P3 million, as they pledged their artwork to an online auction that aimed to provide free face masks to the Ilonggo public.
Led by “Ilonggo Artists against COVID-19,” the online art sale aimed to help Iloilo City gear up for the “new normal” ahead of them by using the proceeds to buy materials and labor for the production of free face masks.
Spearheaded by veteran Ilonggo artist Rock Drilon, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and his daughter Raisa Treñas, the proceeds from the initiative has produced 215,465 cloth masks – most of which has already been distributed to disadvantaged Ilonggo communities for free.
Ilonggo Artists against COVID-19 worked hand in hand with the “Uswag Sewers,” a collective of underprivileged seamstresses hired by the Iloilo City government to help revive their livelihood during the pandemic. The project also provided a living for 93 displaced seamstresses who lost jobs and work due to COVID-19.
With the scarcity of face masks early in the government mandated community quarantines, the city government employed these women to produce the cloth masks it intended to distribute for free to vulnerable Iloilo barangays.
With the initiative, Mayor Treñas said he had aimed to furnish all Iloilo City indigents with at least two free face masks each for their personal use.
As early as April, the mayor had signed an ordinance requiring all Ilonggos to wear face masks in public spaces to minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Aside from the more than 70 homegrown Ilonggo artists who joined the endeavor, renowned giants in contemporary Philippine art – the likes of Emmanuel “Manny” Garibay, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Gerardo Tan, Manuel Ocampo, and Ofelia Gelvezon – Tequi – also contributed their masterworks to this cause./PN
