Leyte wants you to listen

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s like seeing life happening again through music and the arts,” said Jacques Palami, almost moved to tears, as he watched more people arrive at the farm in San Miguel, Leyte — the spacious venue for the first-ever Ginsiyaman Music Festival held recently. It was a meaningful night for Jacques, his sister Trixie and their small group of young Taclobanons who have partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and AirAsia to mount the event that highlighted the condition of the province two years after Typhoon Haiyan. Leyte has indeed risen from the aftermath of such a calamity — now back on its feet and ready to dance to a new beat.

The world bore witness to what Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) did to almost every town in Leyte, and in its wake came the surge of foreign aid volunteers and groups, like the non-profit org All Hands, that have been doing wonders in the hard-hit region. The Palami siblings, both living in Manila when the calamity struck, flew back to their hometown Tacloban with a simple mission: Help in the rehabilitation of communities and remind their fellow Warays of the many things that they still have, like music, arts and a spirit that no tragedy can ever destroy. In this light, the siblings sought the help of their like-minded friends and pitched the idea of gathering local artists into an annual festival that could boost Leyte’s tourism.

“At first, we just wanted to have a send-off party for some development aid workers, but then we realized, if we turn it into a very memorable experience, chances are, these volunteers would come back with their family and friends in tow,” Trixie shared.

“And we also hope that this festival would open doors to our homegrown artists and musicians; we have a thriving music and arts scene that has yet to gain wider attention,” Jacques added.

The short interview ended in time for Rice Lucido’s set, a girl whose cool Fiona Apple-like vocals cut through the chatter, what a way to open the musical extravaganza. A string of homegrown acts sustained the melodies in her stead: Aimee Delgado and Aurora, Lady Suzette, Kulahig Kultura and Bullet Dumas — a guy who is already making waves in Manila’s indie scene and has dedicated his original composition Haiyaan, an environmental song, to fellow Waraynons. Ginsiyaman also flew in some of the country’s sought-after bands including The Strangeness, Ang Bandang Shirley, Skymarines, The Ringmaster, Pulso, Yolanda Moon and the night’s ultimate crowd-drawer, Up Dharma Down.

Though feeling a bit under the weather, Up Dharma Down frontwoman Armie Millare did not disappoint as she showcased her signature soulful voice in their hits like Oo and Tadhana.

It was almost 3 a.m. when Up Dharma Down ended the concert on a thrilling note, but there was no sign of exhaustion from the mob that gathered in the middle of the lush estate — a lucid indication of the festival’s success, enough for Jacques and Trixie to assume that the (new) voice of Leyte was heard that night — loud and clear.

“I’d definitely come back. This place feels like home,” said an American volunteer during a short chat in between sets. A lot of foreigners have actually expressed their desire to return to the province as soon as they can; the kind of desire that hopefully burns much more inside of every Filipino. And now that AirAsia conveniently flies directly to Tacloban via an Airbus A320, what excuse do you still have?

As its new tourism banner goes, “See you, Leyte!”