MANILA — Organizers are hoping that participants and spectators of the three-day Bacoor International Music Championships 2018 (BIMC2018) slated on June 22-24 would gain a fruitful experience as musicians from seven participating Asian countries, including the Philippines, showcase their talents and artistry.
“This would be a tough competition definitely but as audience, may we pay more attention to what we can get from watching these participating musicians, pure talent, artistry, discipline, focus, among others,” Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla said in her speech during the opening ceremony of the first-ever BIMC at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Friday.
“May they inspire us to do our best, explore our artistic talent, and develop positive talents while doing something we like, making music,” Revilla added.
More than 50 bands from local and international participants — Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and the host-country — are joining the event, which will be held in multiple venues in Bacoor, Manila, and Pasay City at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“This historic event has a lot of milestones. This is the first time we are holding an international music competition of this kind, and magnitude. As we will witness more than 50 bands participating either in the street parade or in the competition,” Revilla said.
She noted that the event also marks their sixth cityhood anniversary that was ratified through a plebiscite on June 23, 2012.
Revilla said the holding of the event in the city, known as the marching band capital of the Philippines, has been her dream and that of her husband, former senator Bong Revilla, with Congressman Strike Revilla.
Meanwhile, Glenn Pangapalan, representative of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, commended the organizers and participants for the momentous gathering.
“The fact that we are all gathered here in unison to celebrate music as a unifying force, bringing diverse people and cultures together, is already an accomplishment by itself. On that note, I’m happy that our neighboring countries are well-represented,” said Go in his message that was read by Pangapalan.
He added that the occasion would also promote the country’s tourism.
“I am very optimistic after the eventual success of this competition that more of our friends will participate to benefit our ever-growing Philippine tourism industry. Verily, this international marching band competition is representative of values that we want to share with the world,” Pangapalan said.
“United like a band will sing in tune like what we expect the participants here to be, the embodiment of the bayanihan spirit. Progressive, ever moving, marching forward towards positive change, competitive, innovative, world-class, while remaining humble and mindful of fellow competitors and our brothers,” he added.
The event is in partnership with Winter Guard International (WGI) and the Asian Marching Band Confederation (AMBC).
The groups will compete in three WGI divisions of color guard, percussion ensembles and wind groups, plus AMBC’s Marching Show Band, Street Parade competitions, Drumline Battle and Brassline Battle.
The teams will be judged by members of the jury, composed of representatives of Thailand, France, USA, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Also present during the opening celebration were Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Manila Rep. Manny Lopez, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez, and officials of Bacoor City. (PNA)
