CEBU CITY – On the evening of October 3, 2026, Plaza Independencia became home to something Cebu had not seen before: a music festival devoted entirely to Bisaya music and culture. Organized by the Cebu City Government through the Office of the City Mayor, the inaugural Bisaya Music Festival is the first of its kind in the Visayas.
Gates opened to the public at 3:00 p.m., and admission was free. Singers, bands, composers, musicians, songwriters, performers, producers, cultural groups, and independent artists gathered at the historic plaza for an event that celebrated the richness, diversity, and continuing evolution of Bisaya music.
A Stage Full of Bisaya Talent
Twenty-two artists and groups took the stage over the course of the program. The lineup included Joseph Gara, Wonggoys, Iping Amores, Jewel Villaflores, The Qings, Ferdinand Aragon, Jerika Teodorico, Kent Charcos, Karla Villondo, Jimmy Ricks, Hometown Kids, Martin Taneo, Franzel Kaye, Akisha Keith, Victoria Leslie, Esther's, Leeyan, Arza, Bernadeth Jumalon, Nomer, and Lynel Sucalit, among others.
Together, they showed the range of the Bisaya sound, from established names to newer voices, all performing in the language and spirit of the communities that shaped them.
Honoring the Bisaya Music Icons
Beyond the performances, the festival paused to recognize those who helped build the Bisaya sound. The city honored six outstanding artists as Bisaya Music Icons, citing their exceptional and lasting contributions to Bisaya music and to carrying the Cebuano language, culture, and identity forward through their work.
A Finale Over the Plaza
As the evening wore on, the main acts took the stage, and the celebration closed with a fireworks display over Plaza Independencia, a fitting finish for the first festival of its kind.
Why It Matters
For the Cebu City Government, the festival is a statement about what the city values. By giving Bisaya artists a dedicated stage, and by recognizing those who have preserved Bisaya identity across generations, the city affirmed its support for local music and the people who make it.
The first Bisaya Music Festival may be over, but it has set a precedent: Bisaya music now has a place of its own at the heart of Cebu City.