MANILA, Philippines—More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine restrictions are still in place. But these have not stopped Fete de la Musique from still celebrating the best of Philippine music, for everyone to enjoy and take comfort in amid these difficult times.
It’s the second year that Fete de la Musique is being celebrated online and this year’s edition with the theme “the best of the islands” seeks to showcase, through music, Filipino musicians representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the diverse destinations across the Philippines from the comfort of one’s home.
Fête de la Musique Philippines 2021 is presented by Alliance Française de Manille together with B-Side Productions and the Embassy of France to the Philippines. The event is co-organized by the Department of Tourism, a long-time partner of Fete PH in promoting and supporting OPM and Filipino artists.
“With the health crisis affecting the Philippines for more than a year now, Fête de la Musique still endeavors to stay connected with our audience who has been celebrating music with us every year,” said Jean-Pierre Dumont, executive director of Alliance Francaise de Manille. “Together with the Department of Tourism, we will give them great music as we also celebrate the talents and the beauty of the different corners of this amazing country.”
Fete de la Musique launched last June 18 and will have its grand finale today, June 21.
“We are truly happy and excited to be able to host the Fête de la Musique once again,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a statement.
“As the world knows, music is a huge part of Filipino culture, and we can never pass up any opportunity to celebrate through song,” she said.
“Even though there are still community quarantines in the country, this online music festival allows people to ‘travel’ and revel in the wonders of the Philippines through the incomparable musical talents of Filipinos,” Puyat added.
The celebration may be muted and confined online but even then Fete de la Musique is still warmly embraced by Filipinos whose local edition is always celebrated in June, culminating on June 21 when the Philippines joins the rest of the world in celebrating the festival of music.
It was first celebrated in Manila 27 years ago and, according to Alliance Française de Manille, Fete de la Musique is “the most beautiful example” of the cultural exchange between Filipinos and the French as the festival is a platform for the two peoples’ “common passion for music.”
This year, performing for Filipinos is multi-awarded and chart-topping singer, composer and actor Raphael and Swiss jazz band B Connected. They are both performing on the final day of the four-day festival on June 21.
Fete de la Musique retained its multi-stage format, but it is now based on islands rather than genres, according to Alliance. But the lineup still features a variety of music and artists in different stages in their careers, from the up and coming to the established.
“The very essence of Fête de la Musique is to celebrate music everywhere where people from all walks of life can perform and enjoy the performances. Its universal appeal contributed for it to become a global celebration embraced by different cultures,” Dumont said.
Added Giselle Tomimbang, President of B-Side Productions: “In the Philippines, we aimed to use this annual global French tradition that we Filipinos have embraced as our own not only as a platform to promote not only original Filipino music but also our country’s rich natural beauty and as a way to honor and celebrate the diverse roots, ancestry and heritage of our people across our islands, as well as help re-invigorate tourism, local economies, communities and artists.”
The online musical journey began on June 18 with a Luzon pocket stage, which featured performances by Pedicab, Radha, Parallel Uno, Celeste Legaspi, Maegan Aguilar, Zsaris, 10 a.m. Departure, Buwi, and Kayden Umali.
On June 19, talents from the Visayas took centerstage with exciting performances by Kate Torralba, Project Yazz, Vanessa Monot, doods, soundslikefiona, Vanya, Dumaguete Trio and Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas.
The Mindanao day featured music from homegrown talents including KRNA, Moro Beats, Conscious & The Goodness, Joee & I, Levi, and Manic Mundane.
Today, the Philippines will join the rest of the world in celebrating music with four main stages in Metro Manila, Boracay, El Nido, and La Union.
El Nido, one of the stages of Fete La Musique 2021. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Metro Manila stage will present music by Barbie Almalbis, Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios, Curtismith, and Leanne & Narra. They will also be joined by Jason Dhakal, The Hernandez Brothers x Lustbass, and Fatima Loo.
JOEY Ayala, one of the featured artists in Fete La Musique 2021. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
For the Boracay stage, there will be performances by I-Dren Artstrong, Trespeace, Mami Beth & Sajid Perez Pelayo. The El Nido stage will feature music by Jako Mandala, Eric Tarre, Robin, Mike & The Wolf, Bathala Na Groove and Jams with Dona & David, and Jewelmer Jazz Band. Lastly, Manskee, Roe Santos, and Jose x Gats Talamak will take over the La Union stage.
Boracay, known for its white sands, is also one of the stages of Fete La Musique 2021. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
“We hope that #FeteFromMyIsland brings joy, inspiration and a deeper love of our country, our people and Mother Nature herself,” said Tomimbang.
“We hope that the music uplifts them in these trying times. We hope that it also sparks conversation within their own selves, friends or families about what province they or their families/ancestors are from and what they love most about that place,” Tomimbang said.
“We also want the audience to discover and appreciate different music genres, may it be OPM or French music. Ultimately, we want people to walk away from #FeteFromMyIsland to feel good and excited to explore our breathtakingly beautiful islands,” said Tomimbang.