Pasinaya 2024, where art became the ultimate superhero, saving Tagum City from post-storm blues with electric performances

Words and Photos Mika Reyes
February 16, 2024

In the aftermath of a tumultuous storm that swept through the heart of Davao region on January 26, 2024, leaving behind a trail of devastation, it seemed implausible that a festival celebrating the arts would emerge from the wreckage. However, against all odds, the resilient spirit of Tagum City prevailed as it played host to the very first Pasinaya festival in Mindanao, a beacon of hope and healing for the battered souls of Davao del Norte.

The festival, which typically finds its home in Manila, took on a profound significance in Tagum City, transcending its role as a celebration of the arts to become a powerful vehicle for communal healing. The calamity-stricken residents, many of whom were left homeless and destitute, found solace and inspiration in the creative expressions that unfolded amidst the ruins.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, the government and the compassionate citizens of Tagum City extended a helping hand to the storm victims. Evacuation areas, transformed into makeshift stages, became the unconventional venues for Pasinaya events. The festival became a lifeline, offering not only food and monetary support but also a platform for artists from all corners of the Philippines to weave stories of hope, resilience, and better days through their performances and workshops.

The roster of performers who lent their talents to uplift the spirits of the afflicted was nothing short of extraordinary. From the Ari Tau Folkloric Dance Group from Nueva Vizcaya to the Mindanao Hip Hop Collective, each act conveyed a powerful message of unity and recovery through their artistry.

Despite the logistical challenges posed by the aftermath of the storm, these performers journeyed to Tagum City, facing numerous obstacles along the way. With perseverance and an unwavering commitment to their craft, they traversed more than 24 hours to arrive at the evacuation centers, uncertain of whether they would be able to bring their art to the people of Tagum. Relocated multiple times, their journey mirrored the struggles faced by the storm victims themselves.

The resilience of these artists was mirrored in the nationwide broadcast of Pasinaya, enabling the entire country to witness the healing artistry emanating from Tagum City. Special performances by the Nightingales, fresh from a European tour, and the triumphant Male Ensemble Philippines, recent winners at the 54th Tolosa Choral Contest, underscored the festival's national significance.

Pasinaya 2024 in Tagum City transcended the boundaries of a typical arts festival. It became a symbol of triumph over adversity, a testament to the healing power of creativity, and a rallying cry for unity in the face of destruction. As the echoes of Pasinaya reverberated nationwide, Tagum City stood tall, not just as a cultural hub but as a resilient community that turned tragedy into a triumph of the human spirit.

Here is a list of all the performing groups in Pasinaya Tagum 2024:


1. Ari Tau Folkloric Dance Group from Nueva Vizcaya

2. Bataeno Lahing Magigiting Cultural Ensemble from Bataan

3. Mandayanayaw Indigrnous Group from Tagum city

4. Himamaylan City Kultura de Artes/Himamaylan City from Negros Occidental

5. Kathara Dance Theatre Collective from Davao City

6. Kaliwat Performing Arts Collective from Davao City

7. Liking Sining Dance Company from Batangas city

8. Hinablon A: Uğrayan sa Sining Visayas: Mandate Children & Youth Choir

9. Leyte Dance Theatre

10. Kasing Sining Bohol

11. Atty. Orlando Rimando National HS Maco Rondalla from Davao de Pro

12. Bunnal A: Ugnayan sa Sining Mindanao: Sining Kambayoke Ensemble from Marawi

13. Tambuli Cultural Dance Group from Tawi-Tawi

14. Mindanao Hip Hop Collective, University of Mindanao Chorale from Davao

15. Sining Kandidilimudan Ensemble from Maguindanao

16. Pundaquit Virtuosi from Zambales

17. RMMC Teatro Ambahanon from General Santos City

18. Hinablon B: Ugnayan sa Sining Visayas: Mandaue Children & Youth Choir

19. Leyte Dance Theater

20. Kasing Sining Bohol

21. RMMC Sinag Maya from General Santos City

22. Bunnal B: Ugnayan sa Sining Mindanao: Sining Kambayoka Ensemble from Marawi

23. Tambuli Cultural Dance Group from Tawi-tawi

24. University of Mindanao Chorale from Davao

25. Kuntaw Mindanao from Tagum City

26. Male Ensemble Philippines

27. The Nightingales