Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron’s vision of expanding the reach of the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival is gaining ground with the announcement of the Subaraw National Music Championship in Puerto Princesa in 2027, an official qualifying event for the Asian Music Games.
“Our dream is for this to go beyond a national event and become an international event,” Mayor Bayron said in Filipino.
According to the Philippine Drum and Lyre Associates Inc. (PDLAI), the national championship is expected to bring together more than 60 ensembles and over 2,400 participants from cities, provinces and PDLAI chapters across the Philippines.
The announcement supports the Mayor’s goal of attracting more participants and visitors to Puerto Princesa through festival activities while providing a bigger stage for Filipino musical talent.
A local drum and lyre competition will be held a day before the national championship, giving local groups that will not join the national event an opportunity to compete and showcase their talents.
The national championship will feature music battles, solo and duo events, with national and international judges evaluating the performances. PDLAI also announced support from the Asian Marching Band Confederation (AMBC) and the World Marching Band Organization (WMBO).
Established in 2011, PDLAI promotes the development of drum and lyre, marching band and marching percussion activities in the Philippines. It organizes competitions and provides opportunities for students, instructors and performing groups to develop and showcase their talents.
PDLAI’s involvement brings experience in competition management, clear rules and standardized judging. Its programs also encourage discipline, teamwork, leadership and confidence among young performers, making participation valuable beyond winning awards.
Its international partners help connect these efforts with opportunities abroad. AMBC links PDLAI with the Asian marching arts community, while WMBO provides connections with the wider international marching band community. According to PDLAI, these partnerships support improvements in judging, performance design and competition structure, alongside opportunities for international participation and cultural exchange.
The Subaraw championship carries added significance as the 3rd Asian Music Games will be held in Bacoor City, Cavite, in 2028, following editions in Jember, Indonesia, in 2023 and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2026.
For groups joining Subaraw in 2027, the announced qualifying event offers an opportunity to pursue a place in the Asian Music Games ahead of the Philippines’ hosting in 2028.
Mayor Bayron also emphasized the importance of drawing visitors who will watch and take part in the festival, similar to the crowds attracted by other major Philippine celebrations.
The championship is expected to draw performers, instructors, families and supporters from across the country, giving Puerto Princesa an opportunity to showcase both its musical talent and tourism attractions.
