Mundane and Momentous

TAGUM CITY, PHILIPPINES—There's something about the iconic New City Hall of Tagum that keeps folks from all walks of live marvel at its hugeness and state-of-the-art facilities, acting like a magnet which attracts people to visit it every now and then. When this city hosted its official Musikahan sa Tagum Festival last week, it had transformed into a large musical venue where the grand exhibition of music took place. Cliché as it may sound, but last week’s atmosphere in JV Ayala Avenue is enough testament why it’s more fun here in this once sleeping municipality.

To many, the new city hall is just the musical venue where this six-day festival took place but for us, it became the temporary headquarters where we had produced free-flowing sweat and consumed many hours until past midnight just to document this city’s exciting festival. Now on its 11th year, this year’s installment of the Musikahan Festival proved to be better and grander. I never really had a poignant remembrance of any Musikahan revelries in the past year except for the locally-produced TV shows and brass band competitions staged at the city’s cultural center where we are literally transported from school to cheer for our team. Not until last year when I joined the team that “produced and ran” the show and it clearly imprinted an almost indelible memory on my part.

Truth be told, these memories are recorded in photographs I captured. It’s been a week since I posted these series of pictures in my facebook account but the stories behind it are not yet told. I am glad that I became part of the team that created the “visual archive” of the festival on its 11th year—as well as chronicle the important events which happened during the day. While majority of the audience cheered over the festive events, we were busy clicking for pictures that future generation can browse. In a fine tremolo produced on the strings, we captured the speed of the hand going up and down. Each time we were amazed by the angelic voices of the choral groups, we snapped a photo of them with their mouth wide open. And of course, the colorful costumes and the prolific choreography displayed during outdoor musical events. Mundane or momentous, this Musikahan is really made for the history books.

Exhaustion. That might have been the main point of this story. But to say that you’re tired after all those almost sleepless nights is an understatement. Yes, it’s kind of exhausting on our part but the fact that you’ve been part of history is rewarding. I think that’s pretty more self-fulfilling than enjoying a deep slumber or being dormant in one corner. I am more than proud of the team that went through thick and thin just to deliver to the public a grand Musikahan they rightfully deserve. And of course to the participants and the audience who braved the heat and got wet due to intermittent rains. Indeed, the Musikahan is owned by the community.

As of this writing, the new city hall is back to normal: lights out, chairs and exhibits pulled out and the trade fair vanished. Like a huge spaceship from afar, it will amaze us all once again in next year’s festival which shall be infused with an international tone anew with the hosting of the Himig Handog Asia-Pacific Chorale Competition. For now, it awaits its completion to be ready in next year’s festivities which will surely be a proud  moment for our beloved Tagum.

Louie.

Below is a visual narrative of what had transpired in the 11th Musikahan sa Tagum Festival, including some of the news articles/press releases I had written for the City Information Office. Enjoy!

RECORDING HISTORY. One member of the audience takes time to record a video of the performance of one chorale group competing in the Himig Handog Chorale Contest

The Tagum City Youth Symphonic Band in their earth-shaking performance during the Sundown Symbonic Band Competition

The City Hall Atrium was bathed in violet at night. One facebook friend said lighting improved this year.

WAH. It's an all-out performance for this choral group.

From afar, the New City Hall of Tagum seems like a spaceship. Here, a marching band is making their way to the city's iconic governance center.

Despite changing weather, the show must go on.

A conductor is silhouetted as he oversees the over-all production of his marching brass band.

Legendary musician Popong Landero in the house! Sir Popong, an icon himself, composed and arranged the official Musikahan sa Tagum theme song.

People standing from a distant hill on the left side of the city hall got a better look of the Brass Band Competition.

It's as if peace was affirmed as this majorette released a dove during the Brass Band Competition.

Bestfriend Zee served as a volunteer during the six-day event. In between coverage, we're fighting the urge to sleep through sipping coffee and frappe. Each day, we see the world through our bulging eye bags.

We are your City Information Office, providing you news that matter. This is our first formal picture together. From left to right: Francis Abrenica, Leo Timogan, Rhea Mae Magbanua, Louie Bryan Lapat, Edwin B. Lasquite and Ariel Amora.

FOR MORE OF MY CAPTURED PHOTOGRAPHS, CLICK HERE.

Below are the links to the news articles the CIO released and are posted on the official website of the City Government of Tagum.

___