Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is one of the much-anticipated music event in the Philippines held particularly in Puerto Galera. It showcases soul, jazz and world music, with recent addition of electronic and hiphop music, featuring artists from all over the world.
The music and arts festival aims to promote the eco-cultural tourism of the country. It’ also supports Filipino traditional and contemporary arts and culture.
In the recent Malasimbo Festival 2016– Media Familiarization Tour in Puerto Galera, we were able to witness this year’s Malasimbo Festival and to visit some of the beautiful places in Oriental Mindoro.
Music artists who participated on this year’s festival included Tom Thum and Gordon Hamilton with Manila Symphony Orchestra, Mark Zero, Brigada, Brat Pack, Reo Bothers, Chikashi Nishiwaki Miro, Lustbass, Golden Sound, Jacob Collier, Gong Myoung, Kristina Hernandez and Malasimbo Collective.
Each artist showcased an incredible performances. The crowd grooved freely once the artist started to play their music. Some of attendees were seated on the grass while listening to music. Others are drinking refreshing beverages while chatting with their friends.
Most of the visitors who joined on this music event were foreigners. No matter what they look, how they dance, how they sing, and how they cheer on their favorite artist, they’re FREE to express who they are on this festival. All attendees here really showed their love in music and arts
At the foot of Mt. Malasimbo, we found a lot of amazing installation arts. The “Dandelions” by Olivia D’Aboville is one of the famous art featured in the event. It’s made out of recycled water bottles and energy saving light sources.
Around the area, we also witnessed some of talented individuals who shared their talent in Poi Dancing, Ball Jugling and Hoop playing.
Aside from Malasimbo Festival, there are lots of beautiful spots in Puerto Galera that you could enjoy with. This place is indeed perfect getaway this summer especially for those living in Metro Manila and opting to escape the stressful traffic and work deadlines in the office.
The coastal town of Pueto Galera is well known among tourists for its numerous white beahces and many snorkeling and Scuba diving spots. Among the beaches include Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants.
Together with our friends from Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Department of Toursim and members of the press, we headed to white beach and brought our things in Marco Vincent Dive Resort. After half an hour of rest, we proceeded to Le Bistro Restaurant to take our lunch.
The Le Bistro Restaurant offers the finest international cuisine and freshest seafood dishes. They served us some of Pinoy’s favorite dishes like adobo, bicol express, fish sinigang, and fried fish fillet. I swear, their food are really mouth-watering.
Aside from the food, I like also the resto’s relaxed atmosphere and great service. And of course, their place has the stunning views over the bay of Puerto Galera.
On the first day of our tour, we visited the famous Tamaraw Falls. It’s an 30-minute drive from town proper, located in Barangay Villaflor near the town of San Teodoro. It features a breath-taking 423 -foot natural wonder which consists of series of smaller waterfalls that converge to the main waterfalls .
The name of the waterfalls is derived from a species of buffalo which can only be found in Oriental Mindoro. Tamaraw is considered as one of country’s endangered species.
From Tamaraw Falls, we visited the Talipanan Mangyan Settlement, one of the few Mangyan villages that are welcoming to tourists.
Upon entering the village, we’re greeted by a bamboo-designed gate. A Mangyan guided us going to their village. The settlement comprises about 70 nipa houses. It also features Mangyan gift shop which displayed of woven baskets, beaded souvenirs and other handicrafts.
Some of the Mangyan children performed a wonderful dance intermission. They showcased on this dance their culture and their practices in farming. These kids were really talented. Their smile relieved my stress from long- hour trip from Manila to Puerto Galera.
On my next next blog about Puerto Galera, I will show you the newest attraction in Mindoro. It called “Infinity Farm” which features pristine water surrounded by the vigorous trees and plants.
Thank you to Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Department of Tourism, Puerto Galera Tourism for this wonderful tour. Special thanks also to Marco Vincent Dive Resort for our accommodation.
