Music fest celebrates Leyte’s ‘rebirth’

TACLOBAN CITY — Dozens of local and foreign artists will be featured in a festival to celebrate Leyte’s “rebirth” five years after Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The second “For the Love of Leyte” is a three-day, two-night Woodstock-inspired festival that will start today, Friday.

Kay Veloso Palisoc, co-founder and organizer of the festival since 2015, said the event will be held at The Farm at Ginsiyaman in San Miguel, Leyte, a 45-minute drive from this city.

“For the Love of Leyte” will also showcase local artisans. “We Intend this to be an annual gathering in the future to celebrate and sustain creative talents in the region. It will harness the strength and resilience of Leyteños through tourism and livelihood opportunities,” Palisoc said.

Among the performers are Ben & Ben, Kiko Bun (UK), Bullet Dumas, The Itchyworms, Babani Records (Mauritius), Reese Lansangan, Ang Bandang Shirley, Hernandez Brothers, Conscious & The Goodness, La Loba Negra, Free the Robots (US), Irie Sunday, Lunas, Rob Mananquil, Tom’s Story, The 76 Receipts, KulaHig, LSR, Aurora, Maroon & Gold, Lady Suzette, Succubus, KRNK, Specs, The Guerillas, Digital Danboi (UK), Bruder, and Tom Turner.

Tipay Caintic, an award-winning international fashion designer and the creative director of “Tabo-an han Ginsiyaman,” said that apart from the music festival, there will be workshops and other activities promoting the “Waray-waray” culture.

The immersive festival allows tourists to learn pottery, tikog (native reed plant) mat weaving, tuba (coconut wine) painting and buri embroidery while camping inside the farm.

Patrick Steven Buena of the Department of Tourism regional office and Tourism Promotions Board lauded the organizers for coming up with the event, which is expected to attract over 2,500 guests.

“We’re happy to be on board because it complements our effort to promote Eastern Visaas as an event destination,” Buena said.