MANILA, Philippines – If you asked someone to say the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Navotas, “fish” would probably be the answer. 

Navotas has long been regarded as the Fishing Capital of the Philippines. It’s at the Navotas Fisheries Port Complex that most of the seafood supply in Metro Manila comes in. Even the sign for the City Terminal comes in the form of a fish. 

Its status as the country’s premier fishing destination is something the city has fully embraced, but it feels that it still has more to offer beyond that. Now, Navotas has its sights set on live music. 

Not just fish

Large-scale music shows have long been uncharted ground for Navotas — with most concert attendees traveling to cities like Makati, Pasay, Quezon City, and the province of Bulacan for well-known arenas and live gig venues. 

The northwestern city, however, is looking to change that this year with the Navotas Music Fest 2026, which will be held on September 26. This will be the city’s first major music festival, and will feature some of the country’s top and fast-rising OPM acts, like Mayonnaise, Cup of Joe, Maki, KAIA, and Room Sessions. Talents from Navotas will also open the show, but have yet to be announced. 

“It’s always a privilege and an honor for us to be able to perform,” said Mayonnaise frontman Monty Macalino during a press conference on August 5. “And considering this is the first one in Navotas, siguro ang nakita ng mga organizers is alam nilang mag-eenjoy ‘yung tao because of our songs (I guess the organizers saw that people would enjoy because of our songs).”

The inaugural music festival will be held at the new Navotas Convention Center, which was only unveiled in 2025. The 3,400-seater venue just recently began hosting Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League games in mid-July — and will make its first foray into the live music space with the Navotas Music Fest.

The music fest is a project by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Navotas Chapter, which was only established two years ago. While it may seem like an ambitious project for a relatively young non-profit organization, its president Paul Santos says it’s all in their nature as businessmen to take risks — and it’s one they’re more than willing to take. 

“Usually, when you say Navotas, [you think of] fish. If you will see, there are lots of buildings and cold storages,” Santos told Rappler in a mix of English and Filipino. “But we are proud to say that in Navotas, we have a convention center where we can stimulate community activities. And also, as businesses happen in Navotas, we really want to contribute to the growth of business opportunities within the city.”

Navoteño ingenuity 

Still, Santos said it himself: Navotas is often thought to be at the tailend or dulo of Metro Manila. This then begs the question: what will get people to make the trip to Navotas for this event? 

For PCCI, it’s the charm of Navoteño businesses that will do it. 

At the upcoming Navotas Music Fest, attendees will not only be able to watch the curated lineup of performers. They will also be able to support the city’s local entrepreneurs through the separate food and lifestyle concession area, which will highlight homegrown business ventures. Consumers, after all, have been known in recent years to be willing to travel to far-flung places for the food experience.

Apart from residents of Navotas and nearby cities like Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela, the Navotas Music Fest also hopes to tap into tourists and visitors with the help of music and the opportunity to explore what Navoteño creativity is like. 

Santos shared that there are also plans to create a market like that of Japan’s Tsukiji district, which has become a tourist destination for its renowned fish market — except in Navotas’ version, they get an overlooking view of Manila Bay. 

Tickets are priced at a steep P4,000 for silver, P6,000 for gold, P7,000 for standing (SRO), and P8,000 for VIP seated. Pilos said VIP seated and SRO ticketholders will be given meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with the featured artists. 

According to PCCI Navotas Events and Partnership Chairman Cherry Pilos, there will be shuttles available for those coming from farther areas outside Navotas. Further details have yet to be disclosed. 

Above all, though, PCCI Navotas hopes to position the city as a premier hub for entertainment, business, culture, and tourism. The Navotas Music Fest happens to be among their first big attempts to achieve that. – Rappler.com