Bisaya Music Festival in California, USA returns
Bisaya pride is alive, loud, and stepping onstage in the USA
INQUIRER.net BrandRoom / 03:00 AM September 17, 2025
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Cebuano community in the US mounts bigger, prouder music festival
Published on: Sep 02, 2025
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CEBU MUSIC FESTIVAL USA MUCH BIGGER IN YEAR 2
by Mel Libre
Drawing 500 plus spectators last year, Cebu Music Festival USA is expected to draw a bigger crowd with the return of New Cebu Music pioneer Troy DeGamo of 40-The Band backed up by the all-star band, Right as Rain. DeGamo is currently enjoying airplay of the rebooted version of his band’s classic “Rain” and featured as vocalist of Sunog’s “Kayud Lang” in 105.1 TMC (The Most Cebu) and B ORIG GLOBAL podcast in iHeart Radio.
According to Rolly Wagas, event organizer, other than the acts that attracted the audience last year including G2, Black Box, Mikka Espiritu, Mary Ann Colina, Charlotte Castillo, DJ Odie Lim, new talents are performing - Jam CT, Kim Carreon, Jasarry Ocapan, Roads of Water and Midway Bound. “Before we start of concert at 5pm, the Bisaya Cultural Show will open the event at 3:00 pm where exclusive Bisaya Songs and Dances will be showcased,” he added.
Wagas promised a bigger production with more LED walls, more lights, bigger sound system, live multi-camera system, and live streaming. Known in the Sacramento area for his performances, he is expected to sing some popular covers and a few original songs including “Damgo sa Kagahapon”, which is getting much attention in Cebu airwaves.
He invites non-Cebuanos to attend the event in order to discover not just Bisaya artists and culture, but also the food. Wagas added, ”I hope Cebu and Bisaya talents and materials will be exposed to the international scene; bridge the gap between the vibrant music scene in Cebu and in the US; promote cooperation among Bisaya Musicians; and most of all, discover our own rich heritage to be proud of anywhere in the world!”
𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗨 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟-𝗨𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 2ND 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
by Gieperl Largo
LOOK: The Cebu Music Festival-USA is returning for its second year this September 28, 2025, at The Grounds in Roseville, California, bringing together Cebuano talents, culture, and community in one stage event.
The festival drew more than 500 attendees in its first edition. This year, organizers expect a larger audience, with New Cebu Music pioneer Troy DeGamo of 40-The Band headlining the concert. DeGamo, who is backed by the all-star group Right as Rain, is currently gaining renewed attention through a reboot of his band’s classic “Rain” and his feature in Sunog’s “Kayud Lang”. His set will include original works as well as selections from the 1980s and 1990s New Wave and Rock era.
Event organizer Rolly Wagas said this year’s program builds on last year’s success. Returning performers include G2, Black Box, Mikka Espiritu, Mary Ann Colina, Charlotte Castillo, and DJ Odie Lim. New artists are also joining the lineup, among them Jam CT, Kim Carreon, Jasarry Ocapan, Roads of Water, and Midway Bound.
The festival will open at 3:00 p.m. with a Bisaya Cultural Show, featuring traditional Cebuano songs and dances, before the main concert starts at 5:00 p.m. Wagas noted that the addition of the cultural segment highlights the role of the festival in promoting heritage alongside contemporary music.
Production for this year’s edition is expected to expand, with organizers preparing more LED walls, lighting, a stronger sound system, multi-camera coverage, and live streaming. Wagas himself, known in Sacramento’s music scene, will also perform with a mix of original and cover songs, including “Damgo sa Kagahapon”, which has been receiving airplay in Cebu.
The Cebu Music Festival-USA aims to bring Bisaya music and culture closer to the international stage, while also serving as a gathering place for Filipinos abroad to reconnect with their roots.
JAM CT AND ITS MUSIC JOURNEY
by OG
JAM CT - An Acronym of 5 talented Filipino Musicians.
Jacque Azevedo, Jude Cinco, Christian Andrade, Carlo Mariano, andTolits Sipin. It all began with Jacque, Carlo, and Tolits, playing together in the Bay Area with different groups and gigs. Since they found great chemistry playing with each other, the three decided to form a band together that would take their talents to the next level. Thanks to social media era, Carlo was able to scout a drummer prodigy, Jude, and eventually, the multi-instrumentalist (and singer!) Christian, who’s a long-time friend and bandmate of Jude. Jude and Christian are the remaining pieces of the puzzle that makes JAM CT a powerhouse band.
Born in Makati, raised in Cavite, Carlo Mariano is the leader of the band. He grabbed his first guitar in 4th grade, and ended up playing with The DLSU Pops Orchestra during his college years. Wanting to dig deeper with his musical journey, he then attended Musicians Institute’s GIT in 2006, and earned is Associate of Arts Degree by 2009. Musical influences include Rivermaya, Wolfgang, Dream Theater, and Joe Satriani.
Jacque Azevedo is the lead singer of the group. Originating from Cebu City, she was inspired by the group Heart, and started singing professionally while in 6th grade. Having been groomed well by her mom at a very young age, Jacque had developed a very powerful singing voice, and is considered to be one of the bests in the Bay Area. Heart, Whitney, Pat Benatar, Journey, Aerosmith, Scorpions…you name it, Jacque can sing it!
Tolits Sipin, born in Manila, is the Bass player. He recalls a story when he was in high school as a water boy in the varsity football team. He was encouraged to explore his talent in music instead of pursuing sports. By the end of his high school years, he found himself playing in a band at his Prom night! He never looked back and kept playing ’til he took his talent to the Bay Area. A very seasoned musician, everybody in the industry who knows Tolits have the impression that he has a million bands. He’s just that good!
Finding the right drummer was the most challenging for the three. Having gone through with other potential candidates that didn’t materialize, Tolits had advised Carlo to check out Jude Cinco, a.k.a. “J5,” in his social media. After a few DMs between Carlo and J5, he then decided to commit with the band. The 21 year-old grew up in Mandaue, Cebu City, before moving in the Bay Area. He has been playing drums since he was 4, and is surrounded by a family of musicians. His influences include Linkin Park and Paramore, but he can play any genre including OPM, Reggae, Pop, Disco, and Rock. This bright boy is the future of Filipino drummers. J5 is a true prodigy.
The most recent addition to the band is Christian Andrade. Christian is a 22 year-old Cebuano Fil-Am, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Milpitas, California, who has been mastering music since the age of 6. With family roots in Bawasogod through his mother and Masbate through his father, he carries a deep cultural pride into his artistry. A gifted pianist, he serves as the main pianist for three churches, teaches at South Bay School of Music Arts, and composes, produces, and masters his own original music. With performance credits ranging from Disneyland and USC to Monterey, Ventura, and the 626 Night Market, Christian has showcased his versatility across stages throughout California, both as a solo artist and alongside various cover bands.
This is JAM CT \m/
