By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

1A model wearing Las Islas Boracay, a facemask inspired by the beautiful beaches of Boracay.

College of Nursing alumni and designer Marc Carcillar has been making waves for his local take on face masks.

Carcillar the designer behind the brand, Marcopilipino, launched Las Islas, a collection of handcrafted facemasks with designs inspired by islands of the Philippines.

Some of his designs are inspired by La Union, Boracay, and Guimaras.

2Designs from Las Islas ELYU features the festive energy and growing agro-tourism industry of La Union.

Fiesta and Ubas, reversible facemasks under Las Islas: ELYU features La Union, a surfing destination in Ilocos Region. Carcillar wanted to incorporate the province’s festive energy and its booming agro-tourism in the collection.

Las Islas: Boracay, the first face mask released in the collection takes inspiration from the beautiful beaches of the island.

3 Las Islas Guimaras a reversible face mask that represents the sunrise and sunset of the island.

5A facemask from Marikit, a recently launched collection from Carcillar.

The two sides of Las Islas: Guimaras, a reversible face covering with intricate tribal details, represent the sunrise and sunset of the island.

Aside from Las Islas, Carcillar has also launched two facemasks collections namely Balangaw and Marikit.  Fabrics sourced for all the designs are limited and can only be produced in minimum pieces.

For each facemask sold, 25% of its proceeds will go to project PAG-ASA, a four-stage initiative to ease the effect of COVID19 to affected sectors. Farmers, weavers, and seamstresses are the beneficiaries for the said project.

Carcillar graduated from the College of Nursing, Central Philippine University in 2011. He also took up dressmaking at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School.