Sun, sea and sound collided beautifully at the Cebu SBKZ Festival 2025 Gala Night, held last April at Tambuli Seaside Resort & Spa. The weekend celebration brought together dancers, artists and music lovers from around the globe for three days of meaningful cultural exchange.
It opened with barefoot dancing by the bonfire and an upbeat Denim & Diamonds party, but the heart of the festival was Saturday’s Gala Night — an elegant mix of fashion, rhythm and community. With the theme “Wear Your Culture,” guests turned up in modern Filipiniana and international flair, adding storytelling to every step.
The show opened with a powerful solo by Armando Torres-Paez honoring the Afro-Cuban deity Chango, followed by standouts like New Zealand-Philippine group Vuelo, Hawaii’s Ali Loo and her students and Japan’s Son Sabrosura. Korea’s Nari & Garion returned with a dynamic fusion set, while Cebu’s own Las Piquantes added local fire to the lineup. Brazilian Zouk champions Rau & Isa delivered a crowd favorite with fluid energy, while Vietnam’s Frank Long made a striking festival debut.
Then came a historic moment: Cape Verdean artist Vítor Tavares Mendes, aka Mr. Energy na Casa, headlined Asia’s first-ever live Kizomba concert — an electric set blending Afro-Lusophone soul and Ghetto Zouk that had the crowd dancing under the stars.
The festival closed with a Neon Foam Party and a laid-back Halo-Halo sendoff — cool, sweet and unmistakably Filipino.
The SBKZ Festival is hosting another installment next year on April 10–12, 2026.