MANILA, Philippines - We don’t know about you but we’re starting to feel the heat of summer. Our precious December weather is fading away and we have to embrace the fact that sweating involuntarily will be the new normal. And in this kind of weather, nothing feels (and sounds) better than lounging on the grass while eating copious amounts of kesong puti panini and listening to some reggae, funk and folk. This is exactly what happened at last weekend’s Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival.
Now in its fifth year, Malasimbo still brings music and arts to new heights. Literally. Set in a Puerto Galera mountain of the same name, Malasimbo draws acts (and crowds) from all over the world. From rock legend Jimmy Cliff to Grammy award-winning Joss Stone, Malasimbo’s previous acts prove that they only bring in the best and brightest acts.
This year, they brought in hip-hop and reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley (yes, Bob Marley’s son), beat-boxer DJ Tom Thum, and electronic artist FKJ, among others, to send positive, irie vibes to the three-day festival. Along with the international acts, local talents like Bullet Dumas, Lee Grane, and last year’s Young STAR Fresh Produce B.P. Valenzuela also kept the crowd pumped up. Visual artists like Leeroy New and Olivia D’Aboville also showed some love and visual good vibes through art installations.
Because Malasimbo is a music festival set in an island, it’s only appropriate to dress for the location. Footwear brand Ipanema partners with Malasimbo to bring anyone the most comfortable music festival experience. Known for their cute and durable footwear perfect for lounging in any location, Ipanema’s sandals are also 100-percent recyclable. A perfect combination of comfort for your your festival-tired feet and concern for the environment.
While Malasimbo’s first weekend was the perfect trip for winding down, the second weekend will be much more energetic and electronic. Included in the lineup are Goldie, DJ Kentaro, DJ Spinna and indie faves Similar Objects, Tarsius and Modulogeek. The 2008 World Hip Hop Dance Champions, The Philippine All Stars, and A Team are also expected to keep you on your toes and bust a move.
So grab your Malasimbae and head up to Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival starting today until Sunday for a high like no other. Because after the finals week you just had and the hot summer season rolling in, you deserve a Puerto Galera getaway.
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Complete you festival gear with Ipanema. Check out their Facebook page for more details: www. facebook.com/IpanemaPhilippines. Visit Malasimbo’s Facebook page for festival dtails. https://www.facebook.com/Malasimbofestival.Photos from Malasimbo Festival 2015, shot by Shutterpanda