Chill out at Baguio’s CHILL AND CHILI MUSIC FESTIVAL

When looking for things to do in Baguio, sightseeing and cultural immersion experiences abound,  markets and art shows are plentiful  but it’s harder to find a spot to chill and listen to live music. 

Established venues like Cosy Cove, Canto Bogchi Joint and newcomer Mt Camisong are popular places with limited capacity and sell out quickly, but none are places where you can unroll a banig and settle in for a weekend of music.

Held at Scout Hill in Camp John Hay,  Chill and Chili Music Festival caters for that, with a unique celebration of flavour rhythm and community spirit.

Spread over two days, the Chill and Chili Music Festival features local bands headlined by Crowley and The Hellhounds and The Powerpuff Corn.

As the sun goes down and the guitars go quiet, be treated to a special premiere screening of ODC Film’s The House of Sinners. Starring Mustafa, this is the Directors cut,  just as Brandon Ivan and Brendan Ian intended it to be seen!  

The festival features craft exhibits including Creavit and The Marias Project, and it’s not just for adults.  There is an outdoor place for kids to play while the sun is shining. Unfortunately due to construction, the dog show ‘Pawlympics’ put on by co-sponsors Bathe & Paw-mper and Animal Furvent Rescues wont go ahead. But don’t despair the entire event is pet friendly  and people are encouraged to bring their pets dressed in costumes to win prizes

I caught up with the organiser Jeff Paguio for a few drinks and discussed the motivations behind creating the music festival.

As a musician, avid music fan, and rabid animal lover, Chill and Chili Music Festival brings everything he loves to Camp John Hay.

The festival provides a stage for local musical acts, something that Jeff misses from the days before the pandemic, where performance opportunities were more in abundance. He wanted a place to showcase local music, local artisans and local food, so rather than pine for it, he created it.

“Build it and they will come” is evidenced by the number of Baguio businesses who are taking part

In the pet services the event is Sponsored by Bathe & Paw-mper – Baguio’s first mobile dog wash, Saki Essentials who provide natural organic products for your furry friends, and a demonstration by Roger K9 Training, bringing smiles in the afternoon breeze

Food sponsors include some of Baguio’s lesser known purveyors of culinary delights such as Peerless Burgers, and Taste Like Chicken (it’s actually mushroom!). More established names also feature, such as Crustasia, Horn Pub, and Le Chef 

San Miguel is one of the major sponsors, so you get to enjoy the chill Baguio vibes, sipping beer and singing along as the sun goes down

Chill and Chili Music Festival is on Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23 November

At Scout Hill in Camp John Hay Baguio

Tickets cost 300

A portion of proceeds from the festival will be donated to Furvent Animal Rescue and Advocacy

See you there