CITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE — All is set for the grand kick-off of the 11th installment of the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival, transforming this city which prides itself as the “Music Capital of the South” to a majestic musical venue with the participation of thousands of musical revelers from the different parts of the country and from the Asia Pacific.
Considered to be Davao Region’s Opening Festival Salvo, the said festival runs from February 19-24, 2013 and will feature the region’s best solo players and musical ensembles such as marching brass bands, choral groups, rondalla artists, drum-and-bugle-lyre corps players, young musicians specializing wind, percussion and string instruments, among others.
Mayor Rey T. Uy will lead Tagumeños in the opening ceremony and is expected to be joined by Governors Arturo T. Uy of Compostela Valley and Rodolfo P. del Rosario who will join forces in the launching of a tourism portal anchored on the vision of promoting tourism sites and activities in their respective areas.
The City Government of Tagum under the leadership of Mayor Uy and the City of Tagum Tourism Council with Mrs. Alma L. Uy sitting as its president assured that this year’s Musikahan will be grander and will banner the cause of helping communities in Compostela Valley devastated by Typhoon Pablo last December 4, 2012.
Aligned with the Musikahan’s Cultural Action Project, benefit concerts will be staged during the whole duration in the event in Tagum, including a performance by the Sunrise String Orchestra from Bangkok, Thailand happening on February 24, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, Davao City at exactly 4:00 PM.
The 12th year of the Musikahan Festival will also make history as the Himig Handog 1st Asia Pacific Choral Competition will take place during the five-day event.
Other events that will headline the festival are the Rondal-Awit, the Avenida Musika Brass Band Competition, Kasikas sa Dalan Drum, Bugle and Lyre Competition, the Barangay Musikahan Grand Finals and the Musikahan at ICT.
The City Information Office will also kick-off today its 2nd Musikahan Photography Contest which generated participation from photographers based in Tagum and other parts of Davao Region with the theme “Celebrating our Common Vision, Advancing People’s Creativity as Heritage of the Future”. Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum, City of Tagum Information Office