(TRAVEL) Get to Know The Annual Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival

I finally got the chance to experience the much talk about annual Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival. Together with fellow media and travel blogger friends, we spent our first weekend of March climbing up to Mount Malasimbo for the nights of fun, music and art appreciation. When I say climb I mean not literally camping and hiking, there is actually a service going up and down there, hard to explain but it is one of the happiest travel I had. Before sunset, we looked at how beautiful White beach is from the bay. It is dubbed as “The Most Beautiful Bays in the World”

As they say, if you’ve been to the white beach of Puerto Galera and you still miss this Festival, you are missing a lot of your Mindoro trip. Malasimbo Festival is outdoor concert in front of a grass terraced amphitheater.

Before you get to the venue itself, there are registrations and ticket booths that will guide you on your entrance. They will give you a bracelet with an encoded entrance pass that will tell whether you are here for 1 night, 2 or 3 night pass based on the ticket you bought. The ushers and usherettes were very helpful.

Parteyyyyyyy! Second night of Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival! One of the best! ????????????????⛵️… https://t.co/ywMQQfkIkp pic.twitter.com/M9OjGMqbMR

— Rod Magaru Show (@rodmagaru) March 5, 2016

The venue is free spirited. I already feel the vibe even if we were just walking towards the concert hall. During our first night, we were able to catch Brigada already performing on stage.

Watch BRIGADA performs an amazing drumbeats of a lifetime. I am swayed by the harmony and music.

Then another amazing performance from The Brat Pack. Dude I am so enjoying the music. It is usually different from what I play on my way to work, not even close to my spotify playlist. The contemporaries and uniqueness gave me away. And did I mention they threw a shirt right on my face? I was so happy that time! Here is Brat Pack performing.

I was able to catch Jacob Collier from UK where he played everything with a cinematic, abstract screen background. He is one of the world’s most distinctive, inventive and prodigious young musicians. Amazing guy.

Reo Brothers always impress me! I am a fan of these band and I first heard of them at some event in Manila beating the Beatles Medley. Last time, they did another powerful and engaging job! They successfully entertained audience from all ages, from different countries and location.

WHAT TO WEAR.

So I am sure you may want to ask, what is the ideal outfit if you are planning to go to Malasimbo. During my stay, I packed 3 comfortable sandos and beach shorts, some longsleeves in case it gets extra colder and a jacket. But March is already summer here in the Philippines. At night you will have a comfortable temperature and it is ok to wear shirts, sandos and shorts. I took some photos of the audience so you’ll have a feel of the crowd.

Aside from Music, there were also display of arts and crafts around the area. Some of the notable and talented contemporary artist participated in this annual event

I got the chance to see the work of Olivia d’Aboville-Grgic, curator of the Malasimbo Festival installations. Amazing lights made of plastic bottle illuminated at night.

It was indeed a memorable and fun experience listening to different beat and genre. Looking around, everyone were smiling and dancing as if it is a home full of good music and booze. It was a wonderful experience.

By the way, if you are planning to go this week for the second schedule of Malasimbo, I am giving you the guide and list of performers for the three-day festival below. But I suggest you go to all three nights as the fun is totally different from the other! I am actually thinking of going back!

HOW TO GET THERE

Malasimbo Festival is located in Mount Malasimbo, Barangay Balatero, Puerto Galera. If you are coming from Manila and wants to go to Puerto Galera, there are buses located in various station like the one in Buendia/Taft, Cubao and EDSA Pasay for less than P200.

If you are staying anywhere in Puerto Galera, there are accredited jeepneys that will take you to Mount Malasimbo. Since the event is held in a private property, there are designated jeepney pick up points located near your resorts. IF you are coming from White Beach 1 & 2 and Muella Bay the cost of the ride is P200 for a two-way trip, P300 if you are coming from Sabang and Talipanan area.

Here I am with fellow Media and blogger friends together with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) who are very accommodating and prepares all the detailed plan during our entire trip. Thank you and I miss you guys already!