Malasimbo Magic: Malasimbo Music and Arts Music Festival 2017

May this aftervideo I made personally for Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival 2017 encourage you to visit Puerto Galera, Philippines and experience the so-called Malasimbo Magic I felt last March 10-13, 2017. Watch it on HD!

I've always wanted to attend this festival since their first year but that time, I didn't have enough money to splurge since I was still a student. I've been always craving the earthy vibes that I've witnessed only in their aftermovie videos.

It was October last year when we decided to buy the early bird tickets. I know it sounds ironic given how much I love traveling, but I'm a proud cheapskate when it comes to traveling. Cheapskate in a way that if there's a chance to buy the cheapest flight, cheapest stay, cheapest food, then why not? Unless it's a staycation, then fine, let's splurge on a posh hotel. But if I'm going to a certain place where I'll do mostly outdoor activities then I find no reason to get an extravagant stay. As long as it can secure my stuff, then let's book it! That's why Airbnb was our savior. The hostel we found only cost us $14/pax for 4 days 3 nights! But it was the travel fare that cost us a bit more since our hostel were kinda far from the event venue.

That liberating feeling when doing DIY trips around the Philippines has always been around. Aside from you are the one in charge, it's always a great way to explore and to test how street smart you are. It's been a habit of mine talking to strangers (sorry Mama), especially to the locals when traveling. It isn't just knowing the directions and where's the best place to find cheap but great food, but listening to their stories about their lives and the place they live add to the spice of the trip. I'm proud to say that Filipinos are generally hospitable not just to the foreigners but to their fellow Filipinos too.

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Day 1

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Every port was the home of souvenirs so I bought my Sarong/Malong for this trip. Love the designs, love the haggling part even more! #cheapskate

We hired a tricycle from port to Sabang Town then a habal-habal (motorbike) ride heading our place. Renting Habal-habal was the best choice if you want to explore a certain place here in the Philippines (except Manila, well most parts of it), I wish I knew how to drive one. The place was called Groovy Hostel. It wasn't as posh but it was okay for its price. It was just one habal away from the town so it wasn't exactly a pain in the arse when you want to go out and eat somewhere. According to the locals, it was previously owned by a Filipino until it was sold to an American/European who was the current owner. How the owner managed the place was new to us given that was no admin or a manager around. You could freely enter the hostel and find a room that you want. Details like wi-fi password, where and how to get a habal, resto numbers if you want to have your food delivered at the hostel were all posted at the common area. And if you have any concerns, you can just knock at the owner's room and see if Markus (the owner) can help you. How to get a habal was F-U-N. All we had to do was shout outside and clap our hands loudly (we call it "Palakpak Kalapate" or "Clap for the Pigeon/Dove") and in no time, habal drivers would head towards your place.

Malasimbo Festival offered jeepney rides from certain pickup points. On our first day, we didn't know where was the pickup point so we rent a habal from Sabang Town to Malasimbo. It cost us $15, pricey but fun. My habal driver, Kuya Ricky, knew how to counter my humor so my 30-minute habal ride wasn't boring. He offered us a tour around Puerto Galera but we declined because it wasn't part of our budget and itinerary, but we got his contact details in case we come back.

We came a bit early so it was a perfect time to take some photos

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

(Photos by Ynnah Jurado)

Say hello to this friendly doggo who welcomed us.

Apartel were doing their soundcheck as we entered the Malasimbo Festival premises.

Installation arts and the breeze from Mt. Malasimbo were the signs that we were really there after the long wait.

Since no one was playing at the amphitheater, we went to Mangyan Village where Mokua was doing his set.

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Mangyans were showcasing their music inside the shack of Mangyan Village. It was overwhelming to see some of the foreigners were actually performing and dancing to Mangyan music. It was nice to witness how these tourists were trying to get involved with the culture that Mangyan had to offer.

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Me and my friend bought book titled "The Search For Love and Self by Emmanuel d'Aboville. The book was composed of poetries about love and paintings. I was glad I bought that book and wishing they could produce more copies to be sold in bookstores nationwide. I swear, it's worth the price, it only cost $10 anyway.

Mangyan souvenirs and accessories were also available in the festival. I have a soft spot for local goods and I'm trying my best to not haggle because it was their form of art and not just some mass-produced souvenirs.

Kawangis ng Tribu was a band from the island of Palawan. They performed an exquisite ethnic music. I even mumbled to my friend that this kind of music should receive support from the music producers or government because they actually deserved the exposure plus it saddened me that some Filipinos were oblivious of the Philippine ethnic music.

Curtissmith never ceases to amaze his audience by how he construct his spoken words on point. This was the second time I saw him live, first was in Wanderland 2016.

One of the things I noticed on the first day of Malasimbo Festival was the clear diversity between Philippine and Western culture. I just realized that Filipinos were naturally laid-back people. Most of the Filipinos around were just sitting pretty, listening to music. Not that they didn't appreciate the music and the festival but we were just like that, chill.

On the other hand, foreigners were the life of the party. They danced like no one's watching. They dance to the tunes and lyrics they even don't understand; the beats, riffs, and synths were the common language among festival goers. Malasimbo culture is basically a perfect yin and yang among us.

We decided to join them and danced with Apartel's music. I'll never get tired watching this band live! They're so good I couldn't even! I've seen them a couple of times, and I swear, it always seems the first time. And I was glad they played new tunes and that's something I look forward to hearing on their upcoming gigs!

We made continental acquaintances among those party animals. It was just awesome to reminisce how easy it was to make friends as long as there's music.

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Day 2

On our second day, we got up early because we have to fetch another friend who was joining us. We had our brunch, fixed ourselves up and headed to the pick-up point. Yes, we managed to ask where was it because we refrain from spending a lot again. It happened that it was just right in the corner of the street where we had our lunch the previous day. We were surprised that we still had to pay for the ride given the price of the ticket. I mean, yes we got ours cheaper compared to the other who bought their tickets at the last minute. I just wish it was a free ride. #cheapskate

We roam around and bought some stuff again before the music fest started.

Bought some Mangyan accessories again. We witness another performance from the Mangyan kids this time. They're really cute with their makeup and performance with their teacher/mentor guiding them. Reminds me of my 6th-grade ethnic performance for Buwan Ng Wika (Filipino Month?)

(Photos by Ynnah Jurado)

We stayed at Mangyan Village for a while to catch No Rome. It was my first time to hear his music and damn, it was rad. According to Mark (new found friend), he organized a house party this month and gathered some moolahs that he could use for his recording in London. Damn, son, good luck!

(Photo by Ynnah Jurado)

Moophs played his set, accompanied by Xela. It turned as an entertaining set especially for kids when Xela encouraged them to play illuminated hoops with her.

Singindia's performance was like a quick trip to India. Kinda reminded me of the musicals in Bollywood movies which are the main reason why their movies take up to 3 hours haha! But they're neat, Singindia was neat!

Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, a funk band from Manila, was the highlight of day 2 for me. I forgot how but the first time I heard them was when I bumped into one of their live videos on YouTube singing their first single with lyrics, "Chili Garlic Buttered Shrimp". After that, I began spreading that particular song in the office and among my friends. Its beat and the lyrics were so catchy, you'll just find yourself singing along with it.

According to a post that I saw on the internet, the band members met at Malasimbo and decided to make a funk jazz fusion band. And with the name of the band, as far as I can remember it was the sound they heard in Malasimbo, the sound coming from electronic drums and it produced the sound "pas pas pas pas". So that's where they got the Pas Pas Pas Pas, and added "Brass" since they're a brass band.

Another factor why I love this band was Roxy Modesto. I've been admiring that girl since I saw her playing along with her band Radioactive Sago Project (a spoken word acid jazz band) four years ago lead by the one and only Lourd De Veyra.

And speaking of De Veyra, the bassist of Brass Pas Pas was Francis De Veyra, brother of Lourd. He was the one arranging the music for the band too!

Playing "Brass Pass Tono", the band entered from the audience that automatically enticed everyone. Their set was amazing, the foreigners started gathering in front and danced, inviting again everyone to join them. Their set was as festive as Apartel's the previous night.

Kat Arragado from Sinosikat joined them too!

Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipes spread the summer vibes with their reggae fusion. I'm not oblivious with the Rasta people, especially with how they carry themselves, but it was my first time to see an actual person with that long dreadlocks. It amazed me on how they maintain their hair. I mean, just wow.

I've been listening to Jordan Rakei for a year now and I was as stoked as everyone who was a big fan of him. Rakei's music was a mix of soul and reggae. Well-composed tunes were performed that night.

Lefto was one of the artists I regret not dancing to. Maybe I was just tired to dance to his music but it one of the best eclectic music I've ever heard. It was a Black Market (underground club in Manila) vibes all over the place. I stood up just to find out that it was his last song already. :( We stayed a few more minutes after Lefto's set then we decided to leave the place and get some rest.

Day 3

Asch and Similar Objects invaded the amphitheater with their electronic tunes. I was one of the privileged guests to be permitted to enter the backstage. I was surprised when it was one of the bouncers told me that I can enter when I was taking a video of Similar Objects' set.

(Photos by Ynnah Jurado)

Skarm gave an exquisite performance along with Curtismith.

(Photos by Ynnah Jurado)

It was my first time to hear and see Rhxanders and it was awesome. I was surprised when he called August Wahh on stage. I'm a big fan of Chocolate Grass, a rap-jazz band from Manila. I remember that I was so frustrated when I forgot their band name for a couple of minutes during their set. I've been nagging my friends for months to listen to Chocolate Grass and I couldn't even recall their name. Can you imagine how irksome was that for me?

(Photos by Ynnah Jurado)

June Marieezy. How could I even begin to describe June friggin' Marieezy?

She was like this fresh breeze passing through your hair while enjoying the ice cold beer in a quiet morning at the beach.

June Marieezy is a whimsical artist from Dallas, Texas but has a pure Filipino blood. Experimenting across various genres, she really has created her own, unique sound.

After the long wait, there I was, witnessing these two young fellas from Canada that I had been listening and looking forward to see live.

Luke Tennyson and Tess Pretty gave an outstanding performance to the point that they had to play double encore!

Tomato Land was so cute everyone started to dance to its catchy beat. Though it was tough having 2 unplanned encore sets, these kids didn't mind to play for their audience.

After Tennyson's set, 2 of my girl friends left for a restroom break. We were waiting longer than we should when we started to look for them. We didn't know that these two went to check Silent Disco without us (no hard feelings...nope, hard feelings were all over my heart)! We followed them only to find out that it was the last set for the whole festival, and it was really heartbreaking! These two! >:| HAHAHA! Anyway, I was able to capture the moments inside the Mangyan Village where the Silent Disco sets were held so it was fine, at least for my aftervideo.

Day 4

On our last day, we spent most of it at White Beach. Ticked one item on my bucket list which is to ride at the back of the jeep, or what we called here "Sabit (literally hang)".

I had my Mehndi-inspired henna tattoo, did a couple of laps on the beach, "photo shoots", shopping, and chitchat while waiting for our boat bound to Batangas Port.

I had a great time having a decent conversation with my henna tattoo artist, Clark, as his humor matches with mine. We talked about life as an artist both in Manila and Puerto Galera, how devastating it was when the typhoon hit the island, how Filipinos are naturally resilient when facing the wrath of nature, politics and how dirty it is, the entertaining life in a tourist spot, and much more . The owner's nephew told me that they frequently climb mountains to visit the Mangyan people and provide them their basic needs. They even build solar panels for them. Though for Clark, he wished that Mangyan people would learn how to be more independent over the course of time and not to be too reliant on the locals who volunteer to give help. People were built to survive anyway.

Music, arts, camaraderie, food, and everything in between. Malasimbo magic wasn't provided by the festival alone, but also by the people and vibes of Puerto Galera that surrounded us during our 4 days stay.