Malasimbo fest paves the way for Mindoro tourism

Jacob Collier’s rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic, “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing,” has garnered a global following, and some of his greatest fans among the elite jazz community include Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Steve Vai and Take 6 at Malasimbo Music and Arts stage. www.jacobcollier.co.uk

PUERTO GALERA, Mindoro — The sixth Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival concluded another magical night, a fusion of music, arts and nature at its best, from March 4 to March 7.

Most hotels were booked at Puerto Galera and vicinity, but many more were waiting to be filled. Manila seaplanes and local fishermen’s outrigger boats teemed with spectators from all over the world.

A viable tourism project, a worthy undertaking by one family, the festival has yet to gain recognition and promotion from the province of Mindoro.

British pop star Jacob Collier, taking the time off to pet a beach dog that he found with friend Will Young, at the secluded Sand Bar, Puerto Galera.

Some 3,000 tourists converged to savor the underground mountain music fest that overlooks the “Most Beautiful Bay” in the world, a record accomplishment by the township of Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera is accessible from Calapan via Fastcat or the limited number of ROROs (roll on, roll out) ships available to ferry cars directly. Recently, Air Juan started a regular route of seaplanes flying between CCP Complex at Manila and Puerto Galera. Foreign entertainers during the festival arrived using the same route.

Returning artist Peter Golikov and the Golden Sound team, which includes a Filipino American based in New York, Wendell Garcia, on drums; Felipe Buencamino, bass; Rich Griner, guitar; Lachlan Mitchell and Niki Cobrado, keyboards. CAROL TANJUTCO

The visionary himself, founder Hubert d’Aboville, was seen trafficking the vehicles at the entrance of his property, rerouting private cars to a distant parking space. His wife, Ara, walked around personally thanking the spectators, while striking conversations with everyone. A refreshing change that their local hires should emulate, Ara d’Aboville’s brand of public relations entices visitors to come back.

Headliner of the year was young Brit Jacob Collier, recognized as one of the world’s most distinctive, inventive and prodigious young musicians. Based in London, Jacob has been inspired by many sounds, his music combines elements of jazz, a cappella, groove, folk, hip-hop, classical music, Brazilian music, gospel, soul and improvisation.

Jacob is best known for creating his trademark multi-faceted YouTube videos from his music room at home, wherein he sings all the parts, plays all the instruments and visualizes every component with a mosaic of screens.

Since his first YouTube upload in December 2011, Jacob’s online social channels have garnered over 70,000 international subscribers and more than 4.7 million views. Asked if he was influenced by his friend Quincy Jones, he immediately clarified, “My brand of music is all mine, they’re all my ideas.”

Frenchman Hubert d’Aboville, the founder and visionary behind the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival and D’Aboville Foundation that works with French organization Noe Conservation, for the protection of the endangered tamaraw, replanting of mangrove and the preservation of tribal Mangyans culture. Shown in photo with INQUIRER.net correspondent Carol Tanjutco, standing in front of major sponsor’s installation H&M.

The stars of the festival were as ecstatic as the audience. Brigada set the tone for the mountain festival with its pulsating drums and percussion instruments, inviting the audience to get up on its feet and dance. Brat Pack followed suit with its rendition of original blues.

Malasimbo prez and musician Miro started the live performances in the afternoon. Towards the end, some Beatles covers were thrown into the mix. The open-air festival ground left the audience with a lot of options including exploring the various art installations and tribal Mangyan crafts. At Mangyan Village, separate bands were playing to keep the audience entertained while the grassy amphitheatre was being set up.

Making a come back from last year’s festival, funk artist Brisbane native Peter Golikov impressively showcased his rebranded music written exclusively for a Malasimbo repertoire, with new sound effects he created using his vocals and microphones.

Mangyan crafts on display at the Malasimbo Music festival. Like many Fil-Am visitors, California artist Samantha Schilf enjoys the variety of native jewelry offered on site.

“I categorize my music as cosmic street funk. I have always been interested in the talk box which was used by Stevie Wonder and Rodger Troutman-who I am a massive fan of,” affirms Peter. Golikov volunteered to start the live bands set up for all three days of the festival.

Lachlan Mitchell was invited to coordinate a collective performance using local talents, a major move to recreate the music festival using more of Filipino talents. This is a call to Philippine Department of Tourism and its foreign offices to give more support and get this project going through the years. Currently, Puerto Galera is showcased as a famous dive site.

It will be recalled last year, there was talk of a ticket sales deficit from the multi-million peso production costs, though last year’s event turned out to be one of the most magical ever, with top performances by Ky-Mani Marley spinning off Bob Marley’s 75 years of reggae legacy, and the SRO performance by jazz godfather Fred Wesley and the New JBs quartet.

Returning from 2015 Malasimbo performance, another Brisbane artist Tom Thum, the one-man beatboxer, this time played with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gordon Hamilton, an entirely new collective. Other casts include: Mark Zero, Reo Brothers, Chikashi Nashiwaki, Lustbass, Triple Fret, Gong Myoung, Kristian Hernandez, Badkiss, CRWN, Venus Flytrap, Coolie Dread, June Marieezy, Sinosikat? and Pasta Groove.

Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival, March 24-26 Puerto Galera, a Black Saturday full moon festival of international DJs and music technocrats awaited those who missed the Malasimbo Music and Arts fest.

For those who missed the magic of the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, the Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival took place on Holy Week, Thursday to Saturday, with headliner DJ Kentaro and a host of new players for more disco, funk, groove and techno sounds gyrating with neon lights.

Decades ago, there used to be an underground Black Saturday full moon rock fest at White Beach. Today, this new festival attracts the younger crowd. It’s something Philippine Tourism needs to think about.

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