by: Pauleen Guevarra
Whenever I am presented with the opportunity to talk about Dumaguete, I always think of its diversity. In everything. From the food, expressions, biodiversity, people, art, and especially music.
I was lucky enough to discover Dumaguete’s music scene in 2022. I started listening to this local band, and coincidentally, they had a gig nearby to celebrate the anniversary of their first album, so I decided to go. I was 17 years-old and about to attend my first gig. The first of many.
After that night, I became a frequent attendee at local shows. These shows are more than just music in a crowded room with people mostly dressed in black. It is a community. Friendships develop as local artists of diverse genres share pure passion. I immersed myself in a new environment, but it never felt unfamiliar, even from the beginning.
Dumaguete is home to many incredibly talented musicians. Many of them play for the love of the game and to share what means a great deal to them. These are the people who give life to the community, writing and producing not only for themselves but for anyone willing to listen. To hopefully spark a sense of familiarity in their music for the people who consume it.
Like any community, however, the scene went through growing pains. Over time, certain changes began to alter the atmosphere that drew many of us in to begin with. Certain changes took over the scene for a while, leaving many mixed feelings and fewer tickets sold. Each gig started to feel forgettable, and eventually people started losing interest in attending—myself included. It felt too stagnant. Too repetitive. There was nothing new for the people, and it felt as if gigs happened for the sake of having a gig happen. It wasn’t catered to the community anymore.
It doesn’t matter how good you think you can play on stage if you have a broken perception of this art form. Or if you have a loose moral compass. Passion will always win over performance. Careers are built on community, which thrives on mutual respect, cooperation, and kindness. You cannot gain respect merely from playing well.
A successful music career is more than just the technicalities of playing a song. It is understanding that there is meaning to each and every little detail of that song. It is creating something that you can genuinely call your own. It is treating people with respect and gratitude for supporting your craft.
Now, I’m 21 years-old, and if there’s anything I’ve learned from these four years, it’s that if you enjoy what you play or what you hear, that’s all that matters.
Contrary to popular belief, the clothes you wear don’t determine what music you’re allowed to enjoy, neither does the color of your hair or how you do your make-up. That doesn’t make you a poser. Being unkind and ingenuine does.
