Perhaps the brainchild behind the famed UP Fair used to be allergic to Mondays or probably it had to do with the Boomtown Rats’ classic “I Don’t Like Mondays” or The Bangles’ “Manic Monday” that such music festival never had a Monday stage. Not anymore.
This year’s edition is kicking off with Hiwaga UP Fair Monday set on Feb. 10 and made possible by the partnership of UP Diliman University Council and self-styled label OC Records.
“Our label’s 2020 vision is loud and clear and it’s a great way to start the year with this gig which is significant and unprecedented,” said Kean Cipriano, label head and lead vocalist of premier local band Callalily.
The first-ever Monday stage in UP Fair history is made extra special by its strong lineup of artists gathered to provide the soundtrack to a gig day expected to be attended by both music enthusiasts and history buffs. It’s status symbol nowadays when you can post something like being at an event atmosphere that has not happened before.
Callalily, Unique Salonga, UDD, Ebe Dancel, Slapshock, and SB19 will headline the roster for this highly anticipated live show of musical acts.
“We wanted to announce this something big happening as a way of informing everyone how our label has grown quickly in the midst of industry challenges,” expressed actress and now label executive Chynna Ortaleza.
“OC Records has been a labor of love and we have learned so much about how the music industry works in this day and age.”
Kean and Chynna’s tandem as husband and wife is one of the recent celebrity showcases of positivity and musical celebration in the artist community, owing to their long experiences as artists themselves.
Others in the list of performers are Glaiza De Castro, This Band, Kjwan, Clara Benin, Reese Lansangan, Philia, Gian Magdangal, Earl Generao, Rice Lucido, Paraluman, Martin Riggs, Frizzle Anne, Bita and the Botflies, Calein, Zsaris, Patraluman, bird, and the busking community PH.
Hiwaga UP Fair Monday is scheduled to begin 4:00 p.m. at the UP Sunken Garden in UP Diliman.
Some years back I had the experience of playing in a UP Fair gig with my band Syato and it was personally special as it happened just a few days before my son Ryde was born. At the time our band’s single Tibo was new on mainstream radio airwaves and the occasion was a spectacular venue for us to promote the song. I could say we felt privileged to have been given the chance to showcase our music in front of UP Fair audiences. The week-long festival has really established itself as one of those events providing musical artists and listeners a legit stage for communal harmony.
That a Monday stage had been set emphasizes there’s always a way to go further UP for this Fair.