Marching Band Capital of the Philippines receives official AMG flag; Filipino performers capture five gold medals in historic continental tournament
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 September 2026 – The Philippines has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the 3rd Asian Music Games (AMG) 2028, with the City of Bacoor set to welcome thousands of marching arts athletes from across the region as the tournament’s next host city.
The announcement was formalised during the grand closing ceremony of the Asian Music Games Kuala Lumpur 2026 on Sunday night at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Malaysia. Asian Marching Band Confederation (AMBC) Vice President and Marching Band Association of the Philippines representative Patricia Real Barairo formally received the official AMG flag from Kuala Lumpur City Hall Executive Director (Socio-Economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin.
The handover capped a stellar campaign for the Philippine delegation in Kuala Lumpur, where Filipino musicians and marching athletes hauled an impressive eight medals in the colour guard category—comprising five gold, two silver and one bronze—against elite contingents from across Asia.
Recognised nationally and regionally as the Marching Band Capital of the Philippines, Bacoor City will serve as the centrepiece of Asia’s premier marching arts spectacle in 2028. Sanctioned by AMBC and co-sanctioned by the World Marching Band Organization (WMBO), the biennial championship follows successful editions in Jember, Indonesia (2023) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2026).
Patricia Real Barairo, Vice President of AMBC and Representative of the Marching Band Association of the Philippines said: “It is an immense honour and milestone for the Philippines to officially accept the AMG flag. The City of Bacoor, our nation’s marching band capital, has lived and breathed this art form for generations. Our outstanding medal haul in Kuala Lumpur proves the world-class calibre, artistry and heart of our Filipino youth. We are thrilled to bring the games home in 2028 and cannot wait to welcome the entire Asian marching arts community with signature Filipino warmth, vibrant musicality and world-class hospitality.”
Sehat Kurniawan Saiman, President of the Asian Marching Band Confederation (AMBC) said: “The Philippines has always been a vital powerhouse and cultural pillar within our federation. After setting a remarkable benchmark in Kuala Lumpur with nearly 4,000 participants, AMBC is proud to pass the baton to the City of Bacoor for AMG 2028. Bacoor’s deep-rooted heritage in brass bands and street pageantry makes it the ideal destination to take the Asian Music Games forward.”
In addition to Bacoor’s confirmation as 2028 host city, the AMBC Annual General Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on 11 and 12 Sept. also saw the formal establishment of a Permanent AMG Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur to oversee regional governance, continuity and long-term athlete development in collaboration with national member associations across Asia.
Preparations for Bacoor 2028 will commence over the coming months in coordination with local government units, youth development partners and national marching band stakeholders.
