FIRST held in 2016, the Philippine-Spanish music extravaganza “Posporos” recently took the spotlight the with the staging of this year's concert series and related events which headlined Spanish and Filipino bands “Belako” and “She's Only Sixteen.”
The annual program, organized by the Spanish Embassy, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Instituto Cervantes de Manila with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is aimed to boost cultural ties between the two countries through music and enhance the kills of Spanish cooperation partners such as the Philippines.
Its other thrusts include the capacity building and training of cultural workers for the promotion of the country's culture, organize the gathering of music professionals and experts towards the creation of cooperation methods and networks.
Posporo is the Filipinized word of the Spanish term for match which is fósforo.
This year's event has been given a twist with the holding of Posporos Sirkulo, Posporos Sa Ilog, and Posporos Hotel.
Posporos Sirkulo is the roundtable discussions of stakeholders at the NCCA Auditorium where music industry professionals such as Michelle Lagdameo of Elements Music Camp, Jay Eusebio of Wish FM, and Ricci Fidelino of Teamworks Events Plus discussed topics on artist management, music marketing and distribution, and the Philippine music media.
Ferdinand Isleta of the NCCA's Arts Division encouraged the music professionals during the discussions to join the agency's National Committee on Music so that the mainstream music industry is properly represented in the national arts and culture governing body.
Supported by the Intramuros Administration, Posporos sa Ilog meanwhile took the NCCA participants into a Pasig River cruise aboard a chartered ferry to Makati's Poblacion area where Ben & Ben and Mulan performed at the arts and performance hub on Palma Street.
On the ferry, DJ Kiko Escora treated the participants with his exclusive set of upbeat, bubbly music.
The Posporos Hotel meanwhile explored the roots of Philippine music with Belako and Talahib People's Music having a residency in Dolores, Quezon which culminated in the jungle-recorded performance of both bands.
Highlighting this year's Posporos is the evening concert at the XX XX Club in Makati featuring Belako, She's Only Sixteen, and Kiko Escora with his impressive spinning techniques.
The artists
Belako, a band from Bilbao, Spain is composed of Josu Ximun Billelabeitia, Lore Nekane Billelabeitia, Lander Zalakain, and Cris Lizarraga.
The group is described as brimming with power, electricity, and punk attitude with high intensity, hypnotic melodies, great riffs, amazing bass rhythms and powerful drums just like the bands of the 80s.
Belako was awarded the “Best New Band” in 2015 by the MIN Music Independent's, “Best Modern Music Band” in 2016 by the Spanish National radio, and “Best Band in Concert” the same year by MIN and Iberian Music Awards.
Since 2013, the group has released five albums which include “Eurie,” AAAA!!!!,” “Bele Beltzak Baino Ez,” “Hamen,” and “Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence.”
She's Only Sixteen meanwhile was formed in 2010 by Roberto Seña Jr., Andrew Panopio, and its former drummer Kevin Santos. Later added to the group are Anjo Silvoza and King Puentespina.
The band released “Dying to Meet You” in 2012 making it their first Soundcloud hit.
In September last year, it finally released its debut full-length album “Whatever That Was” which got critical acclaim from the music sector.
She's Only Sixteen has performed in a number of events locally and in the famed Wanderland and Baybeats Music Festival in Singapore.
Another band is the Talahib People's Music which has been playing politically progressive-themed music centered on love, unity, and hope since its foundation in 2000. Its members include Arvy Rojas, Bonjo Agustin, Burn Belacho, LJ Pasion, Max Celada, Jones de Vera, Domeng Molina, and Darrel Roberto.
Ben&Ben is an award-winning folk-pop band composed of Paolo Guico, Miguel Guico, Poch Barretto, Jam Villanueva, Patricia Lasaten, Agnes Reoma, Kiefer Cabugao, Toni Muñoz, and Andrew de Pano.
DJ's for the events include Erick Ong also known as Mulan and Kiko Escora.