When it comes to the complete concert experience, the Philippines has always been a country that is always seeking to provide. Because of our amazing talents, classy taste, and undeniable passion towards music and culture, the Philippines has fostered countless talents from all over the country. The epitome of our passion for music is how we always celebrate it. And this year marked the start of another level of celebration. With the first-ever Manila Music Festival, we are now moving towards a calibre of music appreciation that would potentially set us apart from other Asian countries. And as someone who loves our musical culture, I was honored to be one of the first witnesses to it.
In the summer
The Manila Music Festival was an experience worthy of the best celebrations our country has to offer. From the relaxing venue (the Alphaland Bay City Grounds in Aseana Avenue) to the diverse musical acts and DJs lined up to perform, it offered an insight of how fun it is to celebrate our music and our roots. Although the organizers wanted to present a world-class level of partying under the sun, the result wasn't too far off from how we as Filipinos are known to celebrate anything in this country.
A fiesta like no other
The beach-like experience (the grounds were replete with sand, while playful attendees doused each other with water guns), coupled with the comfort of seeing the fun- and music-loving spirit of the Pinoys all around, gave this festival of local and foreign musical talent a whole new taste of what a party should be like in the Philippines. People all around were having fun, letting their hair down, and playing with whatever they brought with them, coupled with the peacefulness of the Filipino's heart for music. Groups from all walks of life came together in celebration of music, and it was a sight worth cheering for.Seeing tie-dye t-shirts, mobile bars hawking drinks, free cigarettes changing hands, water guns spraying, live art walls, and two different stages that represented the diverse musical preferences of the Pinoy was entrancing. I can't even count the times I switched between both stages to dance to some of the best local DJs, and then back to the rocking live band stage where the best Filipino and foreign talents performed into the night. I honestly felt like a kid in a candy store – the kind who can't decide what to get.
Waiting for the next one
I’m hoping that this year’s Manila Music Festival won’t be the last one. I must express my gratitude to the organizers for making this event one of the most memorable experiences I've had. I know that a lot of things could have been better (like water being sold at P100 per bottle, which honestly hurt my feelings), but if it gets things right next time, this festival could very well be one of the most sought-after music festivals in Asia in five years at the most. I can't wait for the next one!
