TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Jan. 26 (PNA) – This city’s persistent attempt to sell itself as the Music Capital of the South has paid off.
The city led by Mayor Rey Uy has been chosen as venue for the 3rd International Rondalla Festival 2010.
In preparation for the event to be held in November, the National Management Committee of the festival met with Mayor Uy and the Tagum City Tourism Council early this month to conduct planning and management for the big event.
Dr. Ramon Pagayon Santos, Ph. D., of the University of the Philippines College of Music and president of the Musicological Society of the Philippines led the festival management committee in the first planning session with Mayor Uy. The festival is a project of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and World Rondalla Society.
Unfazed by the Mindanao situation, Dr. Santos said the organizing committee chose Mindanao as site to help bring peace to the southern island.
“We hope to relieve pain and restore peace in the island through music,†said Dr. Santos whose visit to Tagum City came a week after the Maguindanao massacre, where 57 people were killed.
Tagum City has gained fame for its "Musikahan" Festival, an annual music festival that started three years ago, that has since been luring hundreds of participants from all over Mindanao.
According to Dr. Santos, invitations have been sent out to rondallas in 23 countries to make the festival an international music event.
Held every three years, the rondalla event was first held in Naga City in 2004 and in Dumaguete City in 2007.
The Philippine rondalla is a unique national heritage starting from the Spanish regime that has enriched the musical life of Filipinos. (PNA)
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