Benevolence

When I was very young, my grandfather took me to a local festival—the kind that lights up sleepy towns with bursts of color and sound. It was there, along the crowded street, that I first encountered dancers dressed in striking, ethnic-inspired costumes, their bodies painted in deep blacks, their presence almost mythical.

At first, I clung to my grandfather’s hand, startled by the unfamiliar intensity. But then I saw the masks.

Towering, radiant, and impossibly alive, the masks danced with every movement—swaying, spinning, catching the light. They weren’t frightening at all. They were mesmerizing. Magical. Each one a burst of story and spirit, hiding a face yet revealing something even more profound: identity, tradition, celebration.

This piece was born from that memory—a child’s wide-eyed awe at the richness of cultural expression.

The artwork itself is a vibrant tapestry of abstract elements and symbolic forms: bold geometric shapes, winged accents, four cross-topped structures, and wheat-like motifs, all pulsing with vivid energy. The softly textured gradient in the background creates a subtle, dreamlike contrast to the structured elements, enhancing the sense of motion and depth.

It’s a tribute—not just to a fleeting childhood moment—but to the enduring radiance of Filipino heritage, where even what’s hidden behind a mask can still shine brilliantly through.