A diverse crowd of over 500,000 from Bicol and beyond came together to enjoy the three-day Bicol Loco Festival that offered tons of fun, excitement and, of course, world-class music.
Its success has since prompted organizers to seriously consider making the festival an annual event.
The ultimate dream is to extend beyond once a year and be year-round, similar to the hot-air balloon experience in Cappadocia, Turkey, which attracts tourists worldwide.
An exhilarating blend of adventure and music, the festival offered quite a plethora of memorable events for attendees.
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.
As the event host, Robi Domingo was also well-received by the appreciative audience.
During the first concert night, the polished performances as individuals and as a duet brought the house down.
Apl.de.ap’s surprise appearance was also a welcome treat. His impromptu jam with Bamboo and Sarah had the crowd rapping and singing along.
The scene was like a reunion of “The Voice” judges.
And then there’s Jericho.
A Bicol native, the actor-singer brought pride among Bicolanos when he declared his unabashed love for the region and its people.
Jericho headlined the second night along with Ely, evoking waves of nostalgia, with the audience enthusiastically singing along to his popular hits.
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.
Did the festival succeed in promoting the Bicol province, its tourism, and its culture? The answer is a resounding yes! The tremendous response undoubtedly placed the region on the global tourism map.
For festival organizers, it 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 festival into a remarkable 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.
