MANILA, Philippines — Bicolanos had the time of their lives as Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, Jericho Rosales and Ely Buendia rocked the Bicol Loco Festival last weekend.
A diverse crowd of over 500,000 attendees from the Bicol Region and beyond came to enjoy everything the three-day event offered — hot-air balloons, aerobatics, skydiving events, drone shows, concerts and raffles.
As the event host, Robi Domingo was also well-received by the appreciative audience.
During the first concert night, Sarah and Bamboo brought the house down performing their hit songs. The crowd went wild when the two made a duet on Sarah’s hit song “Tala.” Apl.de.ap’s surprise appearance was also a welcome treat. Apl’s impromptu jamming with Bamboo and Sarah had the crowd rapping along “Filipino, Filipino.” The scene was like a reunion of “The Voice” judges.
And then there's Bicol native Jericho, who brought pride among Bicolanos. When he declared his unabashed love for the region and its people due to his Bicolano roots, the crowd went wild.
@lexeme17 Sana all na lang Jillian ???? #jerichorosales #bicollocofestival2024 #bicolloco #jillian ? original sound - lexeme
The biggest surprise of the second night was when Jericho was joined by a fan on stage. As they walked through the aisle, the actor kissed the fan that drew cheers and jealousy from the crowd.
Jericho headlined the second night along with Ely Buendia, evoking waves of nostalgia, with the audience enthusiastically singing along to his popular hits.
The hot-air balloons framed against the magnificent Mayon Volcano sparked adventure and childlike wonder. The top performances of Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, Jericho Rosales and Ely Buendia electrified the crowd and transformed the concerts into mass sing-alongs.
The festival’s raffle also brought tears to many eyes, especially the heart-rending stories of four grand prize winners, who each won a house and lot unit worth P1.5 million.
For festival organizers, Bicol Loco achieved more than simply promoting a destination; it showcased the region's natural beauty, vibrant local communities and rich culture and history.
The social media exposure served as a virtual gateway for potential visitors, immersing them in Bicol's beauty and promising travel experiences.
In his message to fellow Bicolanos, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said the enthusiasm of attendees turned the inaugural Bicol Loco festival into a celebration of unity for everyone in the entire Bicol region.
“Remember that Bicol Loco is also an opportunity to create jobs and livelihood among our people. Let’s approach the future with the spirit of adventure that the festival evokes — bright and colorful, festive and musical,” he concluded.
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