Magic on the Mountaintop:

The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2013

The first quarter of 2013 will peak on a harmonious note thanks to the third ever Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival. The event, which has reached a resounding crescendo since its advent in 2011, will see thousands of music, art and nature lovers to the foothills of the majestic Mt. Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines this March 1 to 3, 2013.

Endorsed by the Department of Tourism as a catalyst for the advancement of the Philippines’ music and culture, “Malasimbo” is the first international music and arts festival of its kind in the Asia-Pacific. Local and international artists and art enthusiasts come to share their creative energy with each other and with that of the stunning and breathtaking natural amphitheater grounds of Mt. Malasimbo. The festival site atop this inactive volcano overlooks the Puerto Galera bay, voted one of the most beautiful bays in the world. In its infancy, the festival saw 1,500 people attend its first installment. The number of attendees doubled last year in 2012, and the mountaintop was packed with 3,500 individuals enjoying the good vibes, cool weather and natural acoustics that delivered note after harmonious note through the ears of happy festival-goers.

 Mt. Malasimbo’s natural amphitheater was full to bursting at the 2012 Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival

 

Indeed, the Malasimbo Festival experience is life-changing. It’s unique program is recognized, not just for its musical and artistic sophistication, but for high levels of adventure, environmental consciousness and eco-cultural concern. As a matter of fact, the festival isn’t just about frenzied levels of fun; it also has a strong social responsibility quotient. Each year, the festival adheres to the d’Aboville Foundation’s conscientious regard for sustainable community development through the preservation of the indigenous culture and heritage of the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro. Part of the proceeds from the festival contributes to the reforestation of Mindoro and to the preservation and proliferation of the indigenous Mangyan written language. A Mangyan Village Exhibit featuring the seven indigenous home-styles has been a fixed feature on the festival grounds since year 1 and it is where knowledge about the island’s rich pre-colonial culture is shared through workshops, performances, and information cues.

The lush natural landscape of the grounds is further amplified by the festival’s ever-growing family of visual artists. Spearheaded by French-Filipina visual artist Olivia d’Aboville, over 25 exhibitors will install artworks all around the gardens, guided by the festival’s regard for sustainability and reverence for Mother Nature. Among this year’s roster are Agnes Arellano, Denis Lagdameo, Leeroy New, Niccolo Jose, Francis Sollano, Mona Alcudia, Raphael David, Agus Kama Luedin, and many more. 

Last year, the King of Latin Soul himself, Joe Bataan, brought a mountaintop filled with thousands to its feet as he heralded his first-ever visit to his father’s home country –after a long and illustrious career of promoting his Filipino heritage. Moreover, Bataan’s classic AfroFilipino tune was reworked by German heavyweights Jazzanova and released on Sonar Kollektiv late last year as the first ever Malasimbo Recordings production.  A run of 100 hand-stamped limited edition 10”records sold out almost immediately. Fans can get their hands on the record online or at this year’s festival. 

Now, three incredible musicians will headline the Malasimbo Amphitheatre. Saturday will see the legendary Jimmy Cliff on stage, one of reggae’s pioneering figures. A Grammy award winner and an inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cliff’s work has inspired movements in reggae including the work of the legendary Bob Marley. Just last July ’12 the reggae superstar released his first album in over seven years entitled “Rebirth”. The 13 track album was produced by punk legend Tim Armstrong of Rancid.

On Sunday, Grammy award winner and the best-selling soul artist of the 2000’s Joss Stone is set to grace the natural amphitheater. Her sixth studio album “The Soul Sessions Volume 2” released last July scaled the Top 10 charts in the US and Europe. The 11 track album is a follow up to her 2003 debut “The Soul Sessions” and features cover songs from the likes of Broken Bells, The Chi-Lites, and Sylvia. Headlining Friday is local Ethnofolk phenomenon Grace Nono-Bob Aves Group, purveyors of Philippine traditional music arts and culture. Grace Nono is recognized with over 40 awards, including the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award and the Outstanding Women Award in the Nation’s Service, for her artistic and cultural contributions.

1-day, 2-day, and 3-day Night Passes are available from TicketWorld as are Day Passes and Malasimboat Party Passes. VISA card holders can enjoy a 10% discount on standard ticket rates. The Night Pass grants access to the Malasimbo Amphitheatre from 6pm – 6am where audiences can bask in the energy of a soulful and awe-inspiring lineup of local and international acts. Day Pass holders are offered a spectrum of eco-cultural activities that include an organic market, fun and enriching workshops, tree planting, sunset yoga and meditation, and cultural features on indigenous tribes. The Malasimboat will host DJ parties on all three afternoons of the festival aboard   (or overboard!) the famed Liki Tiki, arguably the best place to enjoy the sunset. Malasimboat Pass holders may board from Muelle Port. 

The call of the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is multi-tiered. Whereas the first ever installment of the festival was received as an epic good time, its growth over the past few years has shown the endeavor to be a complex, compassionate, pro-active one—yet one that will never stop promising those same good vibes and excellent entertainment.