One of the massive events in the Philippines, Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, gathered together thousands of music, art, and nature lovers. For the first time in nine years, the Malasimbo Festival was held in the middle of a lush rainforest at the La Mesa Ecopark. The two-day festival was full of unearthing and eco-centered activities.
What made it more magical is the reggae superstar and multi-instrumentalist from the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i, Mike Love. His music and style consist of a mixture of several music genres, such as classic rock, pop, R&B, soul, blues, flamenco, jazz, and more with relatable lyrics about real struggles.
As a headliner for this year’s Malasimbo Festival, Mike Love serenaded the crowd and nature for two days. Along with his band, he performed Permanent Holiday, Barbershop, and No Regrets. A group of light and fire dancers performed on one side of the grassy amphitheater during his relaxing set and the crowd swayed to the rhythm while some decided to lounge on the picnic blankets with booze in their hands.
On the second and last day of the festival, his set became more intimate. Mike Love brought nothing but his guitar and loop pedal on stage as he performed solo—delivering messages about love, peace, and change for the world. “We all need love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness,” he said during his acoustic performance.
It is not surprising to witness people sway and sing during his set. Mike Love stays true to his Hawaiian roots as he continues to grow and touch people through his music. Influenced by his family and other relatives, his ambition is to inspire positive change in the world. His songs possess wisdom and seek to instill change, whether it be regarding issues of the environment, revolution, or personal growth. He communicates with his fans and listeners through sound because music is a form of healing, learning, and growing for him.
Everyone realizes that there is a meaningful message, stories, and points of inspiration behind every song; and that is the reason why many people fall in love with his tunes. It was my first time seeing Mike Love perform live and while I’m not a die-hard fan, I have been listening to some of his songs for a while now. His music works like therapy, serving doses of hope, inspiration, and positivity in life. His music applies to everyone, regardless of what you may be feeling or going through.
Mike Love reminds everyone that the color of the skin, culture, race, and the way someone dresses doesn’t matter because anyone can make a difference with positivity. He also encouraged the crowd to strengthen the future of humanity by being kind-hearted and helping one another. He closed his set with a song about all of the precious things in life, No Regrets—thanking everyone who traveled and gathered to listen to him.
Other artists who performed at Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival were Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Laneous, Anomalie, Jesus Molina Quartet, Project Yazz, Brigada, and more!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our WhenInManila.com community on Viber, as well!
