2013 Musikahan sa Tagum Experience

As what our eye bags would tell, it was truly a hell of a week. But make no mistake: Though it was physically and mentally demanding, the 12th Musikahan sa Tagum Festival is one that is worth cherishing for a lifetime. This is my second Musikahan with the City Information Office (the other one was when I was a volunteer, editing a daily gazette for the 3rd International Rondalla Festival) and the feeling of having a front-row seat to document a festival, with all its grandeur and spectacle, is but an enriching experience.

For five days, Tagum City transformed into a grand stage for music with its finest music festival that kicked off Mindanao's cultural calendar. Now on its 12th year, the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival is a bold testament  to Tagum City's moniker as the "Music City of the South." And why not? Throughout the celebration, Tagumeños and people from other places in Davao Region were charmed by the magic of music in all genres, making Musikahan an all-inclusive and longest-running Music Festival in the Philippines. 

The New City Hall of Tagum serves as a good backdrop during the Avenida Musika National Marching Brass Band Competition. 
Photo by Louie Lapat

Alma L. Uy, chairperson of the City of Tagum Tourism Council, said in her speech that Musikahan has branded itself as "a festival that connects people." True enough, especially this year when Musikahan elevated its mettle in music by utilizing it as a powerful tool to reach out and help. This year's Musikahan introduced its Cultural Action Project that is anchored on extending long-term assistance to the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley. After that fateful day on December 4, 2012, organizers scrapped their laid-out plans to make way for programs pursued in the context of staging a creative and meaningful ways to help, thereby changing the landscape of this year's music revelries.

This idea saw the rise of Musikahan's nightly benefit concerts, bringing world-class musicians to serenade an eclectic mix of audience from all walks of life. Perhaps there's no better person to kick-off this cause than the man who happened to be a witness on how hopes and dreams were shattered when Pinatubo erupted, damaging his hometown Zambales, just like what Pablo did to Comval. Through strumming his violin that produced a soothing music to the ears, Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata (who also have Dabaonon roots) and the Pundaquit Virtuosi of Zambales lifted the spirits and raised hope in the land still struggling to stand back on its own feet.

Alfonso "Coke" Bolipate (left) strums his violin while the Grand Winner of the Barangay Musikahan sings "Usahay."  Photo by Leo Timogan

There's the King’s Orchestra—the Sunrise String Orchestra of Thailand—that proved that music knows no borders and that nothing can hinder someone to offer help regardless of race, color or religion. The group went here for free, in their ardent desire to help, with the help of the Monarch of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A music aficionado himself, the King offered a gift to the City of Tagum through the orchestra: a book containing his musical compositions after their well-applauded concert. Aside from Tagum, they also staged a performance in Cinema 3 of Davao City’s Gaisano Mall.

The Sunrise String Orchestra from Thailand conquers the Musikahan Stage.
Photo by Leo Timogan

Tagum’s very own dynamic city mayor, Rey Uy, along with his brother Comval Governor Arturo T. Uy also top-billed the “Go Green, Restore the Valley” Concert, singing to their heart’s content. And mind you, they do carry a tune. Aside from that, both led in the launching, together with Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, of the DavNor.Comval.Tagum tourism portal which is a compendium of tourism information resources that is expected to be a tool for the sustained development of the tourism industry in the region.

Aside from music, Musikahan also paved the way for 13 Tagum-based visual artists to exhibit and sell their works, proceeds of which will be used for the rehabilitation efforts in Comval. Aptly dubbed as Trese on 2013, the said exhibit carved a niche for the emerging arts scene in this part of the city, with people slowly acknowledging its importance.

Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy in a benefit concert at the Musikahan Festival.
Photo by Leo Timogan

Tagum’s Musikahan, without a doubt, has truly gone far and would continue to fill the air with music—one that is distinctly Tagumeño. What was once an event in the celebration for the city’s founding anniversary has stood out to be Tagum’s highly-anticipated extravaganza, with each year getting bigger and bolder. Through the passing of time, though still in its infant years, the festival made loud affirmation of its dynamism, its renewed vigor and sustained thrill and excitement. Conceptualized to be a festival that encourages people, especially the youth, to gain mastery in playing musical instruments rather than promoting the typical dancing-in-the-streets type of fiesta, Musikahan banks on its vision of advancing human development through music.

“Anybody can sing and dance but playing musical instruments is a rare skill not everybody can do,” shared Mayor Uy, a self-confessed frustrated musician, who pioneered the “music revolution” in this city. The city government offers free training to students on how to play different kinds of musical instruments, producing close to 6,000 graduates to date. This, he says, makes Tagum not just a city of music-lovers but also of music-makers.

This started a revolution that gained prominence not only in the city but in other parts of the country as well. This year saw the rise of Coro Amadeo from Cainta, Rizal as the first-ever Grand Prix Winner of the Himig Handog Asia-Pacific Chorale Competition, going home an accumulated cash prize of 355,000 pesos and a 24-karat gold pin. Bukidnon State University’s Marching Brass Band from the City of Malaybalay reigned supreme in the Avenida Musika National Marching Brass Band Competition while Tagum City National High School Rondalla was declared champion in the Rondal-awit Competition.

Indeed, the 12^th installment of Musikahan sa Tagum is one for the history books. This early, speculations are already floating in the air as to what Musikahan has to offer next year. But in the manner on how the way the festival offers that tinge of excitement every year, the next edition of Tagum’s premiere music festival would surely pitch colorful elements, would encourage harmony in diversity and produce rhythm that is uniquely Tagumeño. In this note, music is indeed more fun in Tagum—the Music City of the South.

Photo by Louie Lapat