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A few days after the 3-day event, my friends are still talking about the recently-ended Malasimbo Arts and Music Festival. Their reactions were very understandable.
The place is perfect; set high up in the mountains, the music of Grace Nono, reggae master Jimmy Cliff, and Grammy Award-winner Joss Stone and other musicians blended seamlessly into the uniquely hypnotic vibe that a music festival provides.
With a beer in hand and a friend to share the experience, Malasimbo made for a weekend to be remembered.
Aside from the music, however, I also enjoyed all the art installations in the area. I liked one in particular: it was of a naked, pregnant woman giving birth, surrounded by white stones on which musical notes were embedded. Called “Haliya Mantra,” it told the story of a moon goddess in the Bicol Region.
According to artist Agnes Arellano, the moon goddess was entrapped by a human while she was bathing by stealing the clothes which gave her the power to fly stolen. Unable to go back to the sky, she remained on earth as his wife. When she was due to give birth, she went to the river, and music accompanied her labors.
Arellano said that the art installation will remain on Malasimbo. It’s the second of its kind; the first one she did is in the Singapore Art Museum, with ripples around the goddess instead of music. The third one, she said, is yet to be made.
Aside from Arellano’s work, there were quite a few others as well scattered all around the estate. Looking for them was like a treasure hunt; you walk around not expecting anything, and then bam! there it would be.
The first day I was there, I saw this charming little guy in one of the slopes. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to go back and find out his name and who the artist was. If you do know whose it is, let me know in the comments!
I found Pugad ng Buhay (Nest of Life) very interesting, too. The whole thing resembles a nest with a figure in the middle covered with some sort of cloth or fiber. When you take a look inside the middle figure, you will see a hen nesting on a baby. Listen to the wind when you’re there; the artists have put up wind chimes on the branches near the nest.
I found this artwork by Mikai Rodrigo really weird and disturbing though, with parts of a baby strewn all over the ground, and colored guns and other items growing out of the baby’s head. It is obviously the artist’s interpretation of a “baby boom.” What do you think of it?
All these artwork (over 20 artists have brought or created their pieces here) will remain in the area for as long as they can; I think people can still request to see them while they last.
I had no plans of attending Malasimbo; I found the price of the tickets prohibitive. I’m glad I did, though (I went as a volunteer, helping man the coupon booths). Set against the backdrop of the mountains, Malasimbo has lived up to its promise of marrying arts, music, and culture amidst the natural beauty of Puerto Galera.
Indeed, as the band Quest had said, “Malasimbo is not just a weekend show, Malasimbo is a lifestyle.”
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16 Comments. Leave new
@ Marisol: Usually early March. If I’m in the country at the same time last year, I’ll try to volunteer again hehe
Hi Aleah, I have not heard of Malasimbo Festival before. It sounds fascinating. Love that it’s a fusion of music and art festival. The art installations are impressive. What month does the festival take place?
@ Frugal Expat: It’s a wonderful artwork!
@ Photo Cache: Yeah, it’s a bit expensive. For people with cash to spare though, it’s worth it.
I love going to art exhibits (outdoors or indoors) although you’re right though, to the regular joe and jane the price seem to be beyond the grasp of the local wage earner.
Wow, that ‘Haliya Mantra’ is impressive.
@ James: My friend and I helped with the coupon booths. I’m not sure what the other volunteers did, but then again, there were a lot of us. It’s better to buy the 3-night pass, unless there’s only one headliner you want to watch 🙂
@ Cherry Oh: You’re welcome 🙂
hi thanks for blogging our work nice to know people who appreciated it..the installation was really far from the venue also to the path way so good thing you notice… =) thank youuuuu
Wow. I like Agnes Arellano’s installation. It has a universal appeal. What’s the role of volunteers, Aleah? I should take note of this event – do you think a day pass or a 1-night pass is enough to appreciate the festival? 🙂
@ Jed: Maybe. I hope to join again as volunteer next year hehe
@ Andrew: It was indeed a great experience, Andrew. Just too bad I didn’t get to see Jimmy Cliff huhuhu
That must have been a great experience, Aleah. And with Jimmy Cliff! I really like the art work in the first photo… although I do find the baby one a bit bizarre.
Thanks for the leads on both festival and location, which I’ve researched online, and have kept a note of for future travels.
Galing! Could I be volunteer for next year also?
@ Claire: Hope you get to see all the artwork there before they are destroyed by the elements 😀
Glad to know that the Haliya Mantra will stay there. Will definitely check it out next time! I love your photos of the artworks. =)
@ Doc Wends: There were many other art installations there. I only chose the ones I liked. I’m sure you’d like the others too 🙂
@ Jed: Yeah, the tickets were expensive. That’s why I was glad I went as a volunteer 😀
Love the first photo.
Sayang na-miss ko ‘tong event na ‘to. Mahal lang kase ng tickets. =( Pero gusto ko makita yung mga artworks. I was really fascinated with photos of the previous Malasimbo, what more pa ‘pag nakita ko.
Great post! =)
Malasimbo Music Festival is superb. I like how installation artists do their works and inspire. Arellano’s work is interesting and so with Rodrigo. 🙂