The Citizens’ Brigade Band of Dasmarinas (Cavite, Philippines) is one of the umbrella organizations formed under the Citizens’ Brigade
of Dasmarinas, a non-government and non-profit organization composed of civic minded citizens of Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines. Formed in
1989, the members of Citizens’ Brigade of Dasmarinas (CBD) gathered various musicians from Dasmarinas to teach music, aiming to develop
musical skills and abilities among the youth, as well as to take them away from vices. Eight musicians were initially recruited, namely, Antonio
Arboleda Sr, Antonio Bernardo, Edgardo Bernardo, Gener Gelle, Amado Gelle, Leon Magno B. Gelle, Edgardo Hayag, and Elmer Sico. A
summer music workshop was then started in April 1, 1989, producing a total of 80 graduates. Later during the year, the summer music
workshop graduates, together with their mentors, formed a marching band, the Citizens’ Band of Dasmarinas Cavite, which later became the
Citizens’ Brigade Band of Dasmarinas (Cavite). Barely a year after it was officially formed, the CBBD got its first ever trophy by winning the
2ndBest Marching Band in Tondo town fiesta (1990). Since then, the Citizens’ Brigade Band of Dasmarinas have gained much recognition and
awards by winning in many different marching band competitions all over the country. Under the Baton leadership of the late Mr. Victor Sapida,
CBBD’s first ever hall of famer award was given on February 7, 1994 at Pasay City town fiesta for winning 3 consecutive years. Their elaborate
and colorful costumes, which later became its signature, combined with extraordinary marching skills and tone quality proved to be hard to
beat. Other hall of famer awards received were at Las Pinas City, Metro Manila for winning 17 consecutive years, in Silang, Cavite for winning
15 consecutive years, and in Amadeo, Cavite for 3 consecutive years. The CBBD became a grand slamwinner in almost every marching band
competition since its establishment, among them were Manila’s First Open Band Competition (Araw ng Maynila, June 24, 2000), Bacoor’s
Bakood Festival (national band competition, Sept. 26, 2012), Bailen town fiesta, Malibay (Pasay) town fiesta, Muntinlupa City town fiesta,
Cuenca Batangas town fiesta, and many others. The CBBD’s yearly summer music workshop produces an average of 80-100 graduates. Most
of them became scholars to different universities in the country, thus producing productive citizens and adding pride to Dasmarinas, if not, the
whole country. At present, the Citizens’ Brigade Band of Dasmarinas (CBBD) boasts of approximately maintaining 130 members, participating in
various marching band competitions in the country. Future endeavors include joining in international competitions, to bring pride and honor to
the country.