TAGUM, Davao del Norte—What once was the dusty backwoods in the northern reaches of the Davao region is now a commercial and cultural hub: Tagum City, home of the country’s fastest-growing arts festival, Musikahan sa Tagum.

 

From solo performances to vocal competitions, symphonic tilts and marching-band showdowns, this year’s Musikahan sa Tagum, held Feb. 19-24, filled different performing spaces in the city, from malls to school auditoriums.

 

But the main events—and the festival’s war room—were at the spectacular new City Hall, which looks like a concert hall in some uppity country. (And it’s not even finished yet; there’s a 300-seater intimate theater on the third floor to look forward to.)

 

Among this year’s winners were Coro Amadeo from Cainta, Rizal, which won the Juror’s Prize of P250,000 after winning the different categories in the Vocal Competition (Pop/Jazz, Sacred Music, Open).

 

There were also Davao City Youth Symphonic Band from Davao City (Symphonic Music); and Bukidnon State University from Malaybalay City (Marching Band and Street Showdown).

 

Other performers during the week-long event were Coke Bolipata and his violin virtuosi proteges; as well as Sunrise String Orchestra from Thailand, led by its National Artist for Music.

 

Said Musikahan’s artistic director Nestor Horfilla: “What made this year’s Musikahan different is that it raised awareness and funds for the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ in the Davao Region.”

 

Music Capital of the South

 

Tagum prides itself as the Music Capital of the South, and Musikahan organizers promised a grander and more meaningful music festival next year.

 

Alma L. Uy, chair of the City of Tagum Tourism Council, said the success of this year’s Musikahan inspired the city to do even better next year. She acknowledged the huge contribution of volunteers, sponsors, participants and the general public in making Tagum’s premier festival one for the history books.

 

The Musikahan sported a new advocacy this year through the launching of its Cultural Action Project, anchored on the vision of helping disaster-stricken communities in Compostela Valley through music and the arts.

 

Several benefit shows were staged, featuring the highly acclaimed Sunrise String Orchestra from Thailand and the Grand Prix winner of Himig Handog 1st Asia Pacific Chorale Competition.

 

Rondalla groups from Tagum and Maco were big winners in the championship night of Rondal-Awit National Plucked String Ensemble Concerts and Competition at the atrium of the new City Hall.

 

Other prizes

 

Tagum City National High School bested two other groups as it snatched the top prize for Seniors Category and clinched special citations for its solo instrument playing and vocal solo for Rena Mae S. Yroy.

 

Second place was won by  Panabo City’s A.O. Florendo National High School; followed by General Santos City National High School Rondalla in third place.

 

In the Juniors Category, Maco Heights Elementary School Rondalla grabbed the championship trophy as well as top prizes in solo instrument and vocal solo.

 

Second and third were Tagum City’s Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School and Sorsogon’s East Central Elementary School Rondalla.

 

The TCNHS Rondalla got the top cash prize of P75,000, while Maco Heights Rondalla bagged P60,000.

 

Theme for this year’s Rondal-Awit competition was “Strings of Unity Under the Asian Sky.”