CEBU, Philippines — Cebu-based event organizer Ubecside Entertainment revealed plans during a May 15 press conference at 1Nito Tower for the Southside Rhythm Fest which will take place May 27 at City Di Mare Event Ground at the South Road Properties, Cebu City.
Parokya ni Edgar and Sponge Cola will headline the music festival, with Bisrock bands Aggressive Audio, Scramble Egg, The Ambassadors, Indephums, Kantin Dudg, and Dumaguete City-based reggae artist Enchi serving as support acts.
“The last time Parokya ni Edgar performed in Cebu was in 2018 so that was five years ago. I know people are eager to see them, as well as Sponge Cola,” event organizer Jon Dave Lepatan said.
“We have always believed in the talents of our local bands, especially in the era where Bisrock made a wave in our stations. We want to let the Sugbuanons know that this is their chance to hear them perform again.”
Proceeds from the festival will go to three beneficiaries: Cebu City Sta. Rita de Cascia Women and Children’s Center, Rotary - End Polio Now Project, and the Philippine Councilors League.
“We are this close to ending polio and this [festival] is going to help us get more children get vaccinated. I cannot emphasize how appreciative and thankful we are in supporting this event as this is definitely for a good cause,” said February Canoy, President of the Rotary Club of Metro Mandaue 2006.
The organizers are expecting 5,000-10,000 festival-goers, so they have coordinated with the Cebu City government and the Philippine National Police for the event’s security and crowd control.
They hope for the event to be a success so they can make Southside Rhythm Fest an annual shindig. Asked which artists they are eyeing to enlist in future editions, Lepatan said he would like to see Ely Buendia and Rico Blanco perform in the festival.
Tickets available are: P400 for general admission, P850 for silver, P1,590 for gold, P2,120 for VIP, P2,650 for SVIP, and P5,000 for SSVIP. All ticket-holders will have the chance to win raffle prizes during event, while VIP ticket-holders will have dedicated lounges, plus free food and drinks depending on their VIP tier. Tickets are sold through SM Tickets, Southside Rhythm Fest’s Facebook page, and other authorized partners in Cebu.