Review: Malasimbo keeps it young and fresh on its 7th year
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Review: Malasimbo keeps it young and fresh on its 7th year
Patrick Quintos,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 16, 2017 12:12 AM PHT
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Updated Mar 16, 2017 11:39 AM PHT
PUERTO GALERA — Explosions of youthful verve filled an outdoor amphitheater about 250 meters above sea level, as crowds from around the world tirelessly grooved to the steady flow of good music at the 7th Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival.
PUERTO GALERA — Explosions of youthful verve filled an outdoor amphitheater about 250 meters above sea level, as crowds from around the world tirelessly grooved to the steady flow of good music at the 7th Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival.
For three full-moonlit nights last weekend, local and international acts delivered high-powered performances, each of them offering distinct musical flavors to a flock of fans craving fresh sounds.
For three full-moonlit nights last weekend, local and international acts delivered high-powered performances, each of them offering distinct musical flavors to a flock of fans craving fresh sounds.
Topbilling this year's Malasimbo Music fest is the Canadian brother-sister duo Tennyson, who took the crowd into an electronic jazzy trance, performing pieces such as "For You" and "Tomato."
Topbilling this year's Malasimbo Music fest is the Canadian brother-sister duo Tennyson, who took the crowd into an electronic jazzy trance, performing pieces such as "For You" and "Tomato."
The duo made up of Luke Tennyson, 20, who does production and keyboards, and younger sister Tess Pretty, 18, who does drums and percussion.
The duo made up of Luke Tennyson, 20, who does production and keyboards, and younger sister Tess Pretty, 18, who does drums and percussion.
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Another international act who brought the house down at Malasimbo was Cuban jazz pianist-composer Alfredo Rodriguez, who tickled the crowd with spurts of improvisations.
Another international act who brought the house down at Malasimbo was Cuban jazz pianist-composer Alfredo Rodriguez, who tickled the crowd with spurts of improvisations.
Soul jazz performer Jordan Rakei also worked the Malasimbo magic, dazzling the audience with songs that suited the night such as "Midnight Mischief."
Soul jazz performer Jordan Rakei also worked the Malasimbo magic, dazzling the audience with songs that suited the night such as "Midnight Mischief."
After Malasimbo, Rakei continues his tour for his album "Cloak" as he heads to Tokyo and several cities in Australia.
After Malasimbo, Rakei continues his tour for his album "Cloak" as he heads to Tokyo and several cities in Australia.
Not to be outperformed by foreign acts, Filipino bands also put on a great show at the music fest, and on its first night it was soul band Apartel that got the crowd all hyped.
Not to be outperformed by foreign acts, Filipino bands also put on a great show at the music fest, and on its first night it was soul band Apartel that got the crowd all hyped.
The Ely Buendia-led band performed songs from its first album "Inner Play," including "Is It Hip?", "Sala Sa Init" and "Better Off."
The Ely Buendia-led band performed songs from its first album "Inner Play," including "Is It Hip?", "Sala Sa Init" and "Better Off."
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Another local band, Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, also hit the audience's groovy bone as it unleashed a wave of funky music from its album "Greatest Hits."
Another local band, Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, also hit the audience's groovy bone as it unleashed a wave of funky music from its album "Greatest Hits."
Energy went up a notch as the 11-piece band introduced its special guest performer, Kat Agarrado of Sinosikat?.
Energy went up a notch as the 11-piece band introduced its special guest performer, Kat Agarrado of Sinosikat?.
Other local acts present were Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe, who got the crowd jamming to its message of peace, love and good vibes, and hip-hop artists sKarm and Curtismith, who delivered a solid one-two punch of smooth rhymes.
Other local acts present were Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe, who got the crowd jamming to its message of peace, love and good vibes, and hip-hop artists sKarm and Curtismith, who delivered a solid one-two punch of smooth rhymes.
Similar Objects, Rhxanders, and No Rome also performed.
Similar Objects, Rhxanders, and No Rome also performed.
A favorite of this year's Malasimbo was the "Silent Disco" where people danced to music through wireless headphones.
A favorite of this year's Malasimbo was the "Silent Disco" where people danced to music through wireless headphones.
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Three DJ's were playing simultaneously and people could choose who to listen to via a switch on the headphones.
Three DJ's were playing simultaneously and people could choose who to listen to via a switch on the headphones.
The 'Malasimbo magic'
The Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival has been successfully running for seven years now, and part of its charm is the travel that comes with it, said Miro Grgic, the festival's co-founder and director.
The Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival has been successfully running for seven years now, and part of its charm is the travel that comes with it, said Miro Grgic, the festival's co-founder and director.
According to Grgic, going to Malasimbo takes you to a trip away from the city that includes a boat ride to Puerto Galera and a quick hike to Mount Malasimbo.
According to Grgic, going to Malasimbo takes you to a trip away from the city that includes a boat ride to Puerto Galera and a quick hike to Mount Malasimbo.
The hilly venue also takes pride in its affinity to nature, even using a natural amphitheater built on the lands of the D'aboville Foundation.
The hilly venue also takes pride in its affinity to nature, even using a natural amphitheater built on the lands of the D'aboville Foundation.
The other part of the Malasimbo magic, Grgic explained, is the community's involvement in putting the event together.
The other part of the Malasimbo magic, Grgic explained, is the community's involvement in putting the event together.
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From the local government unit, to private resorts and local businessmen, to boatmen, jeepney and tricycle drivers, and even the ordinary people of Mindoro — everybody takes part in making the event possible.
From the local government unit, to private resorts and local businessmen, to boatmen, jeepney and tricycle drivers, and even the ordinary people of Mindoro — everybody takes part in making the event possible.
Even local Mangyan tribes have a participation in Malasimbo, joining talks about nature and culture preservation.
Even local Mangyan tribes have a participation in Malasimbo, joining talks about nature and culture preservation.
This year, D'aboville, which owns the places, built a facility called "Mangyan School" for talks held during Malasimbo fest.
This year, D'aboville, which owns the places, built a facility called "Mangyan School" for talks held during Malasimbo fest.
What's next for Malasimbo?
Grgic said he is happy with the huge turnout of the event this year, but admitted this has been the toughest year so far.
Grgic said he is happy with the huge turnout of the event this year, but admitted this has been the toughest year so far.
He explained nothing is easy with an event such as Malasimbo that poses a lot of logistical challenge given the location.
He explained nothing is easy with an event such as Malasimbo that poses a lot of logistical challenge given the location.
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Unlike big city concerts, Grgic added Malasimbo is not aimed at profiting as it is a passion project that's bent on providing the best musical experience possible.
Unlike big city concerts, Grgic added Malasimbo is not aimed at profiting as it is a passion project that's bent on providing the best musical experience possible.
With this year's tough logistical challenge, he said he will have to get back to the drawing board and assess festival resources before making an announcement.
With this year's tough logistical challenge, he said he will have to get back to the drawing board and assess festival resources before making an announcement.
Grgic is hoping Malasimbo will be back for another year, especially after the Tourism Department already expressed support for the annual event.
Grgic is hoping Malasimbo will be back for another year, especially after the Tourism Department already expressed support for the annual event.
He also thanked the local community, sponsors and all the fans that backed Malasimbo through the years.
He also thanked the local community, sponsors and all the fans that backed Malasimbo through the years.
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