Jojo Vito is now known, even in the Big Apple, as the mask maker.

At the 2012 Philippine Independence Day Parade in Manhattan, the MassKara Festival dancers, wearing Jojo’s masks, went home with the grand price trophy in the Marchers’ Category. In a field of competing dancers, Jojo’s creations had to be the group’s winning factor, a press release from the Negros Trade Fair organizers said.

In 2005, when Jojo’s printing business was on the edge of bankruptcy, he was invited to display his products at the Showroom of the Association of Negros Producers.

He accepted the invitation and later began producing paper bags and stamped the name of Bacolod City on them, the press release said.

The new company, VITO Prints & Pieces, had an inventory of paper from its printing press days, the press release said.

It had access to a souvenir market at the ANP Showroom. And it was based in Bacolod, home of the MassKara Festival, it added.

The following year, 2006, VITO Prints & Pieces received multiple orders from companies who wanted the masks as corporate giveaways.

To meet the demand, a new factory was built in Talisay City, and the Jojo Vito Designs Gallery was opened in Bacolod. The products have since been distributed in Davao and Gen. Santos City.

At the 27th Negros Trade Fair, to be held Sept. 26-30 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City, Jojo’s masks and other creations will be available at the VITO Prints & Pieces Booth C02, the press release said.*

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