Update (March 9, 2025, 12:27 p.m.): Malasimbo has announced that it is awaiting confirmation from Intramuros Administration for a potentially rescheduled date to this year’s festival, along with special shows featuring headliners François K and Mike Love.
On March 8, just one hour before doors to Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival were set to open in Puerta Real Gardens, Intramuros, the organizers announced it was either cancelling or postponing the event due to sudden heavy flooding in and around the venue.
“We regret to inform you that due to ongoing heavy rains and flooding at the venue, we must cancel or postpone Malasimbo 2025,” the public announcement reads. “The safety and comfort of our attendees, artists, and staff remain our top priority.” Ticket refunds will commence on March 9.
On March 9, organizers announced that Malasimbo 2025 may be rescheduled to a later date, pending confirmation from the Intramuros Administration. In the meantime, they have arranged for select acts from the lineup to perform in Makati — namely, François K, a New York-based DJ and house music pioneer, at Kampai in Poblacion on March 9, and Oahu-based reggae artist Mike Love at Nokal on March 10. “All ticket holders will have access to these two shows, as well as the rescheduled Malasimbo Festival,” their update said.
For the last five years, Malasimbo has made several attempts to put up their famed festival, which has been a staple event in the Philippines music and arts scene for over a decade. Since 2011, the event was held in an amphitheater in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, on the foot of Mount Malasimbo — with the exception of 2015 and 2019 when it was held in Puerto Galera Bay and the White Beach, respectively. In 2020, just weeks before the pandemic caused a global lockdown, Malasimbo held their festivities in La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon City.
In 2022, Malasimbo said in a Facebook post that they were moving out of Puerto Galera and were in search of a new venue. “After meeting with Puerto Galera LGU [local government unit], we have come to the realisation that Malasimbo should look for a new host city, a new home,” it reads. It also states that the organizers were in talks with various promoters in cities across the Philippines, including Siargao, La Union, El Nido, Zambales, Manila, Cebu, and Bohol, among others.
In February 2024, two months after announcing their return to the Puerto Galera amphitheater, Malasimbo announced on Facebook the postponement of the festival due to “complications” out of their control. “We are open to relocating and finding a new home for our production and we welcome anyone with suggestions.”
