MANILA, Philippines – There’s a fun festival that has been bringing color and joy to Puerto Galera, Mindoro annually since 2011.
Created by Miro Grgic, his wife Olivia d’Aboville, and her father Hubert d’Aboville, the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival features a lineup of timeless musicians and talented artists.
But this year, for the first time, it will take place in Intramuros, Manila on March 8, from 2 pm onwards.
“I immediately fell in love,” said Miro, sharing he felt like he found the perfect venue when he visited the Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros.
“It feels like you’re in the jungle, but still inside Manila,” added Miro. “There are old trees and coconut trees, and you’re surrounded by the Intramuros walls. It feels so Filipino, and the fact that there are toilets built in is a big plus for us, especially for those attending with children.”
The D’Abovilles have a foundation, the D’ABOVILLE Foundation and Demo Farm (DAF), and a land in Mindoro — the festival was named after a family property.
Olivia, who was introduced to community development at a young age through her parents’ foundation, eventually became an artist. This shaped Malasimbo’s focus on the arts.
“I’m Croatian-born, and Olivia is half-Filipino, half-French,” said Miro. “Croatia is a well-known tourist destination, and from a young age, we were introduced to tourism as a primary livelihood source. Tourism drives Croatia’s economy, and that element helped make the festival happen in Puerto Galera, initially as a tourism initiative. But at the same time, it was really about music and arts.”
Malasimbo features world music. Over the years, international musicians like Robert Glasper, Omar, Taylor McFerrin, Goldie, and Joss Stone have graced the festival.
But the festival’s emphasis is still on local talent — 90% of its acts are Filipino — to ensure that the economic benefits remain within the country.
Past local acts have included Tarsius, Hale, Rico Blanco, Up Dharma Down (UDD), CRWN, Similarobjects, and Lustbass.
“If you’re only bringing in foreign acts, the ticket money leaves the country,” explained Miro.
Before founding Malasimbo, Miro worked as a sound engineer at various festivals in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. He also managed tours, deejayed, and played music.
“It seemed unusual to me that there were no festivals here in the Philippines,” he said. “I thought, if we create a great festival, it would have a ripple effect.”
“We could train university students, which is what we did,” he added, noting they partnered with University of the Philippines, College of St. Benilde, Mint, and other schools to train students as on-the-job trainees, but “many of them are now running the biggest festivals in Southeast Asia.”
The festival attracts attendees from nearly 50 countries worldwide, including Filipinos living abroad.
Although the festivals in Puerto Galera were successful, the logistics of getting people up and down the mountain was challenging.
After receiving feedback that a similar event could be held in Manila, the festival’s 2020 edition was moved to La Mesa Ecopark.
Malasimbo’s reputation as a “boutique festival” stems from its meticulous attention to detail, particularly in sound quality.
“Some people also think it’s elitist and polished, and it’s because we care about the sound,” Miro said.
“You can’t truly appreciate music when you have 10,000 people because sound travels at 343 meters per second. At Malasimbo, we create a concert experience where the sound is almost like listening through headphones,” he added.
“That’s why people enjoy it so much. We want the audience to embrace and enjoy the music.”
This year’s performers include Mike Love, Nai Palm, Moro Beats, GundamFunk, La Crema, and Brigada, as well as DJs Shortkut, Flava Matikz, Salamangka, and Orange Juice Asia.
“We get grounded artists because we have a no VIP policy,” said Miro. “You’ll see the musicians come out and watch with the audience.”
Artists participating include Vernon Perez, Bianca Natola, Veronica Ibarreta, and Levi Cruz.
Past Malasimbo festivals also included artists like Leeroy New and Goldie Poblador.
“Many of the visual artists at Malasimbo live a very sustainable lifestyle,” said Olivia. “Some are based in Alfonso, Baguio, Zambales. A few run small businesses, cafés, grow their veggies, and do craft workshops. They involve the communities around them.”
Resident artists, including Olivia, return each year.
“From the start, we had the community’s support,” she said, noting that family friends like Billy Bonnevie and Agnes Arellano have been with them since the first festival.
“Agnes and my mom went to UP together. They didn’t know each other back then, but reconnected as senior women,” Olivia shared. “Billy and Agnes helped us shape the arts side of the festival. I was new in 2010, having just moved back from Paris. I wasn’t in the art scene yet. They introduced me to artists and curators, and everyone was willing to help.”
A partnership was also formed with the Department of Tourism, then helmed by the late Mon Jimenez, and BBDO, the agency of David Guerrero, to set Malasimbo into motion.
“I wrote a multifaceted tourism strategy. The ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ campaign was born around this idea… Our festival was included in promotions sent to embassies worldwide, giving us international attention,” Miro shared.
For the first time, the festival will feature a Kids’ Village offering crochet workshops, nature weaving, drum workshops, painting, gardening activities and other events.
Around 50 children from various schools will engage with nature and creative activities.
“One example of the artists doing workshops in the Kids’ Village is Indie Green Culture, an advocate for zero waste. They are sewing dozens of floor pillows, repurposing old textiles. Others are Hohana and Cherry Fulo,” said Miro.
“It will feel like every other Malasimbo festival, because it’s still in nature. It’s the perfect setting. Intramuros is the most prestigious place for connecting with culture and history.” – Rappler.com
Content shared from www.rappler.com.