MANILA, Philippines—Olongapo Mayor James Gordon, Jr. is hard at work to revive his city’s former stature as the prime music capital fondly called, “Gapo.”
Last year, Gordon inaugurated a unique music venue, a floating stage —built just offshore and made to look like it’s adrift— near the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority gates.
The floating stage is where new bands and solo artists are given a chance to showcase their talents on weekends. The city government provides deserving musicians with free instruments.
“It’s designed in such a way that anyone can enjoy watching the shows,” says Gordon of the venue.
As part of the inaugural activities for the floating stage, the mayor recently unveiled a statue of Pinoy folk music icon Freddie Aguilar. He was surprised that it quickly became a tourist attraction.
“Both local and foreign tourists now routinely take snapshots of themselves with the Freddie Aguilar statue,” Gordon said.
As a result of this positive reception, the mayor hopes to build along the main thoroughfare similar statues of other Pinoy rock stars, like Mike Hanopol, Joey “Pepe” Smith and Sampaguita.
The 60-year-old mayor himself is a musician. “Bong” to family and friends, Gordon formed the House of Representatives band, The Houseboys, when he was still Zambales congressman. Now he has his own band, Bonggo, and he’s the vocalist and main songwriter.
Since 1996, Bonggo has been some sort of a city attraction, too. The band welcomes foreign ships docking at the SBMA and performs for visiting dignitaries.
The group has likewise recorded an album with Viva, recently certified gold by The Philippine Association of the Recording Industry.
The carrier single, “Sibit-Sibit,” tells the story of Sibit-Sibit, the annual Olongapo festival that pays tribute to the tiny boats of local fishermen. The song is now the festival anthem.
Olongapo is celebrating Volunteer’s Day on Feb. 20. Top bands and other talents are set to perform on the floating stage.
A national music festival is reportedly being planned as well.
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