Thousands of people gathered for the opening ceremony of the first-ever Bacoor International Music Championships 2018 (BIMC2018) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday.
The three-day music championships, which is attended by 34 bands from seven Asian countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines, is organized by the city government of Bacoor, the marching band capital of the Philippines.
At 9 am, the international competition kicked off with a parade of delegates, who marched their way down to the Quirino Grandstand grounds, while showcasing their talent and artistry.
Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla, the main organizer of the event, spearheaded the welcoming rites.
“This historic event has a lot of milestones. This is the first time we are holding an international music competition of this kind and magnitude,” Mercado-Revilla said.
“This event also marks their sixth cityhood anniversary that was ratified through a plebiscite on June 23, 2012,” she added.
While the BIMC2018 is a musical event, it is also an avenue to make the delegates especially and the spectators appreciate culture, arts and music.
“May this event inspire us to do our best, explore our artistic talent, and develop positive talents while doing something we like, making music,” Mercado-Revilla said.
Meanwhile, Glenn Pangapalan, representative of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, said that the ocassion would also promote the country’s tourism.
“I am very optimistic after the eventual success of this competition that more of our friends will participate to benefit our ever-growing Philippine tourism industry. Verily, this international marching band competition is representative of values that we want to share with the world,” Pangapalan said.
The historic event is in partnership with Winter Guard International and the Asian Marching Band Confederation. It will take place in three different venues inside and outside Manila.
The groups will compete in three WGI divisions of color guard, percussion ensembles and wind groups, plus AMBC’s Marching Show Band, Street Parade competitions, Drumline Battle and Brassline Battle.
The teams will be judged by members of the jury, composed of representatives from Thailand, France, USA, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Victorious musicians will be determined by Sunday, June 24, the day set for the championship round.
The awarding and closing ceremonies will be held on the same day at 7 pm.