MANILA, Philippines - The Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines, in cooperation with the National Museum of the Philippines, launched the exhibit “Mexican Masks: The MuyaesOgazon Collection” at the Museum of the Filipino People. The exhibit boasts of a collection of 48 Mexican traditional masks, which were once used to heighten and add color to modern-day fiestas celebrated in various parts of Mexico. Through the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, the MuyaesOgazon collection of traditional Mexican masks was brought here to Manila, after it had been exhibited in Indonesia and Singapore.
The use of masks was an important part of Mexican culture, long before the Spanish arrived. During the pre-Hispanic period, masks were worn on special occasions, specifically by priests in traditional ceremonies, rituals and dances.