Malasimbo 2014 kicks off with Billy, Jungle Boys, Miro

PUERTO GALERA, Philippines — Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, one of the country's top music events, centering around a sunken stage up on a breezy Mindoro mountain kicked off on Thursday night.

A mixture of modern and ethnic music from percussions of Billy Bonnevie and the Jungle Boys served as opening salvo of the much anticipated event.

Bonnevie jammed with the Jungle Boys using various ethnic instruments, creating a unique blend of tribal and electronic music.

The Jungle Boys that gained prominence and Boracay will perform at least twice for the music festival.

The band used Dejembe drums, tambourine and maracas. These sounds combine with Bonnevie's producing soothing music perfect for the cold, starry evening.

Croatian-born Miro Grgic, the festival's co-founder and director, teased the audience on stage and behind the turntable mixing what it seemed like Malasimbo-branded electronic, soul and reggae sounds.

"Malasimbo festival is inspired by the Philippines," the music man and sound engineer said.

Energy and the volumes are pumped up for the next four days and nights and a world-renowned line up of acts.

A dash of art

Bonnevie, an artist, musician and environmentalist, expresses his messages through soulful music and ingenious visual work, contributing two installations in the outdoor venue.

One is the Malasimbo Dap-ay, where guests can build a bonfire while listening to live music and enjoying the view from Mount Malasimbo.

A sculpture, a skeleton of a Tamaraw, hangs by the Dap-ay adding to the ethnic vibe of the spot.