DARAGA, Albay — The local governments of this town and neighboring Camalig opened this year’s Cagsawa Festival in a ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Cagsawa Ruins Park.
Local government officials led by Daraga Mayor Awin Baldo and Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo, Jr. attended the event.
The month-long celebration aims to commemorate the 1814 eruption of Mount Mayon which destroyed Cagsawa Church and left hundreds of people dead.
The festival also aims to celebrate the local folks’ resilience to calamities.
Baldo said in a speech during the opening ceremony at 9 a.m., that the two towns would continue their partnership through a sisterhood agreement that fosters “caring and sharing to one another.”
At the opening ceremony, the two mayors signed the memorandum of agreement for the partnership.
Lined up are various events that include volleyball and basketball tournaments, street dance competitions, fashion show, a regional dance showdown, and singing contest.
A concert featuring the band Chocolate Factory will also be held, as well as Mutya Ng Cagsawa and Ginoo Ng Cagsawa 2023. There will also be a mass wedding and job fair for the locals.
NIKKA NAPOD, CONTRIBUTOR
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