My Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival 2014 Experience @ Puerto Galera

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival this year was such an almost week-long celebration filled with people, be it foreigners coming from other countries or local residents from both nearby or far provinces of the country, who simply want to relax and release their accumulated pressures in life, and for some to explore more possibilities of inspiring and heartwarming realizations here at Malasimbo mountain located Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro - one of the Philippines famous getaways where the beaches are great, the entertainment is awesome and the people truly warm, friendly and affectionate.

From day one, the adventure starts early morning as we went around the area seeing fabulous artistry scattered around Malasimbo that these creative people have installed and setup to amaze and bewilder the imagination. They are so unique that no one could possibly ever think of something better (probably only until next year's event). There were a lot of original ideas showcased and explored to the delight of the guests.

The nights were more spectacular as they were always very colorful, fun and engaging. You'll see people dancing, partying, drinking beer, and chatting with each other and gaining new friends, as they got surrounded by beautiful music beats amidst several fancy and artistic kinds displays that completes the experience.

And of course. the event has become a yearly family gathering for many, also with barkadas, colleagues, and lovers, who took the weekend off to join an adventure into music and arts, and of nature - marveling on the wonders of Mother Earth - the days and nights were always something to look forward to. I want to have the Malasimbo experience once again, every year, during my entire lifetime, as we celebrate life among kindred spirits.

I could go on and on about the many entertainment that I experienced coming form both local and foreign talents, but that is an understatement of what really struck me deep and down my soul.

If only we had enough funds to last us throughout the many days intended for us to stay on the island. But too bad, the spirit was willing but the stomach couldn't keep us going. Lol!

We were a bit surprised of how expensive the food was at the island. The local carinderias sells one meal that will cost you a minimum of Php 150 on average. So three meals per day will cost us around Php 450 already.

Since Puerto Galera is a major tourist spot in the Philippines, they have all the right to mark their prices that way. It's actually just right for the budget, we were just too low on cash that week since we just came from other events that bled our finances dry.

We would have loved to stay longer, but may be we were meant to just come back again next year, more prepared and ready to spend at our hearts content. We were sorry to miss the few more remaining days were they had more entertainers. But I'm sure there will be more opportunities next year. I promise to save for Malasimbo 2015.

Overall, the experience would have been an amazing weekend if we we had not cut short our stay. Well, regrets come always at the end but we are always hopeful that next year will be better.

Contributed by Mac Vasquez