Malasimbo Music And Arts Festival 2012 - Oriental Mindoro

Malasimbo Music And Arts Festival
Mt. Malasimbo, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
March 2-4, 2012


Happening this March is the second Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, a 3-day sensory retreat featuring art installations, music and motion performances. It's not your ordinary concert camp; maybe it's more like a cousin of Pinoy Woodstock. There are rumors that Omar Rodriguez of Mars Volta will be coming to support his brother Marcel (currently of Eureka the Butcher). Yes, local and international performers are expected to grace the stage.

Ticket price is P1030 per day, but you can get a 3-day pass for P2575. Online tickets are sold at ticketnet website here.

HOW TO GET THERE
From Manila, go to Taft Ave. corner Gil Puyat (formerly Buendia). There, you can take a bus or van headed to Batangas City Port (bus fare is around P150 one-way). If you're planning to drive, you may park your car at Batangas Port for about P100 a day. Travel time is about 2 hours.

From Batangas City Port, take a boat going to White Beach Puerto Galera in Mindoro Island (boat fare and other fees is around P300 one-way). You will reach the tourist beach town of Puerto Galera in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. A fast craft is available on mornings (I think the trip is around 8AM-10AM); travel time is about 45 minutes.

There's also the option of bringing your car all the way to Puerto Galera by taking a Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off barge) to Muelle Port (about 30 minutes away from Puerto Galera). Travel time is over 2 hours.

Once you are in Puerto Galera, take a tricycle or hike to Mt. Malasimbo. You'll find the venue on the foothills of the said mountain.

white beach, puerto galera

WHERE TO STAY
There are plenty of beach resorts in Puerto Galera offering accommodation from small fan rooms to airconditioned group rooms, even hotel-type accommodation. I was once a regular fixture in Puerto Galera (I used to go there every weekend!). Back then, you can find a room for as cheap as P300 per night (single occupancy). It's safe to say that you may be able to find a room for P500 per night. Group rooms should be around P1500-P1800.

Since the venue is in the mountain anyway, why not bring your own camping gear? Tents are allowed in the venue (P350 per night fee, or P900 for 3 days). Restrooms, a general store, food and limited electricity will be available for registered campers. Camping is also allowed on Puerto Galera's white sand beach. Some resorts may charge from P100 per person if you set up camp in their premises.

PERFORMERS
Here's a list of the music artists joining the event:
Joe Bataan (NYC)
Kyoto Jazz Massive (JP)
DJ Kentaro (JP)
Marcel Rodriguez/Eureka the Butcher (Mars Volta; USA)
Heavy Boogie (AUS)
Futureboogie DJs
DJ To-Ru (Japan)
Deoro (NYC)
Papa U-Gee (JP)
dOSe (VN)
Joey Ayala
Up Dharma Down
JR Kilat
Radioactive Sago
Tropical Depression
Sinosikat
Good Leaf
Chillitees
Waway Saway
Miscellaneous
Feen
June Marieezy
Anygma
Cocojam
Akasha
People's Future
The Pharm
Talahib
Paul Zialcita
Similar Objects
Desta
Kawangis ng Tribu
Musikalinganan

DJs
Badkiss (GER)
Kristian Hernandez (AUS)
Complex (AUS)
Arbie Won
Angelo Mendez
Big Answer Sound
Caliph8
Don P
D'Tech
Katsunami
Liquid A
Mark Zero
Pasta Groove
Red-I
Rye
Supreme Fist
UMPH

natural ampitheater

Here's a list of the visual artists joining the event:
Gus Albor
Agnes Arellano
Billy Bonnevie
Karla Cachola
Olivia d'Aboville
Kawayan de Guia
IC Jaucian
Niccolo Jose
Dondi Katigbak
Grace Katigbak
Denis Lagdameo
Juliet Lea
Nikki Luna
Leeroy New
Goldie Poblador
Alwin Reamillo
Risa Recio
Mikai Rodrigo

Motion performers:
Astroboy
Funk Roots
Jungle Boys
Philippine All Stars
Planet Zips
Rhosma Prudenciado

A simultaneous boat party will also be held on Kristal's Liki Tiki floating bar in Puerto Galera beach proper (separate entrance fee).

I still have to check my schedule (and budget!!!) before I can decide whether to go here or not. This is mos def one of those events that happen only once a year and surely not to be missed! Next year may be a totally different experience.


Visit the official website at www.malasimbofestival.com.
Some photos taken from their FB page here.