‘Yukbo’ concert returns with environmental message

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano radio jockey and columnist Mel B. Libre was a volunteer for the election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) when former President Corazon Aquino was in Fuente Osmeña calling for civil disobedience following the snap election against her opponent, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “People think that the EDSA Revolution happened primarily in Manila. But other parts of the country, including Cebu, were one with them too. Osmeña Boulevard was full of people at that time,” Libre told The FREEMAN, recalling how the ousting of Marcos Sr. after a four-day massive protest in 1986 was celebrated in Cebu as if it was a festival.

“The rich guys who were backing Cory and not happy with Marcos Sr. contributed to a whole lot of lechon in Fuente Osmeña. Cebu was like a fiesta at that time,” he said.

Inspired by the festive celebration following an uncertain political period, Libre staged a concert at the very site where Aquino once stood, called Yukbo — which in Cebuano means to pay respect by bowing.

“It was called ‘Yukbo Alang sa Pilipino’ to pay respect to the Filipino people for what they had done for People Power,” he explained.

What started as a music event celebrating the return of democracy in the Philippines in 1986 became an annual staple in the Cebu music scene until 2005, commemorating Cebu’s role in EDSA I. Performers over the years included Salome Oro, Leon Kilat, Manny Lapingcao, and Sharon Magdayao, who would later be known as Vina Morales.

While now based in Hamilton, New Zealand as one of the DJs of community radio station Free FM, Libre eventually returned to Cebu to revive Yukbo in 2024 at Plaza sa Katawhan, which featured performers like Abyss, A2Z, Aggressive Audio, BTU 2.0, Do Medi, Emperor, Fivez and The Monks.

“Yukbo” returns this year in time for the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution at Plaza Independencia, scheduled to take place on February 25, starting at 2 p.m.

Performers for this year’s concert include Rolly Wagas, Missing Filemon, Jewel Villaflores, Wonggoys, Ferdinand Aragon, Rommel Tuico and The Brews, Mr Moustache, NOMER, Kent Charcos, Jimmy Ricks, GirlMonday, Hometown Kids, Artpression, ARZA, Belamour, and Yo Emperado.

Artists are expected to talk about the impact of People Power, as well as share their own views on environmental protection in Cebu following the recent floods, including those caused by Typhoon Tino, which is the anchor theme of this year’s concert.

“People Power is not just about changing governments. It’s also about uniting as one in doing something to change our society. Protecting the environment requires people to be together to combat climate change,” he said.

Retaining its EDSA roots, the concert will feature premieres of recaps on the EDSA Revolution and its significance 40 years later. The event will also coincide with the Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon (SuPaKK) 2.0 rally, where protestors will march from the Basilica del Santo Niño to Plaza Independencia. According to Libre, Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy will briefly deliver an invocation to open the concert.

While the event commemorates an important chapter in Philippine history, the overall goal of the concert is also to serve as a platform for Cebuano artists to perform their homegrown music.

“I would like the audience to embrace our local artists and listen to their music more. It’s a way for them to share their songs with fellow Cebuanos because sometimes they may not have a venue to promote them,” he said. “They write their own songs, so why not have them booked for a venue where they can share their songs to a bigger audience?”

“Cebu used to be a testing ground for musicians. If they had a good audience, they made it,” he added. “It’s also a music capital, even though our music doesn’t get played in Manila usually. But even then, the people from Visayas and Mindanao are listening to our own music.”