Culture, cuisine, and adventure
ON FEB. 1, 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted, killing over 1,200 persons in the town of Cagsawa in Albay, and destroying its poblacion or town proper.
What remains of the Spanish-era town — just the church belfry — is now called the Cagsawa Ruins. The town’s population relocated to higher and safer grounds in present-day Daraga.
Since 1814, the perfect cone-shaped volcano would erupt every decade or so, though these episodes were less destructive.
In 2016, the National Museum declared the Cagsawa Ruins — the Bicol region’s top tourist attraction — a National Cultural Treasure (NCT), the country’s highest designation for a cultural property.
In 2012, former Albay Governor Joey Salceda initiated a cultural festival to mark the 198th anniversary of the tragedy.
The Cagsawa Festival is held every February and is a month-long province-wide observance celebrating Daraga’s history and heritage. There are a wide array of activities held: entertainment shows, musical tilts, sports tournaments, socio-civic activities, pageants, culinary activities, and special interest events.
Now on its 6th year, the celebration’s focus is the cultural presentation and street dance competition set on Feb. 21 featuring dance contingents depicting events surrounding the 1814 eruption.
Daraga is at the core of Albay’s culinary tourism program with numerous home-grown restaurants such as Balay Cena Una, Alvi’s Albay Café, Balay Bicol, Casa Lorenzo Food and Culture, and 1st Colonial Grill. The latter is home of sili (chili) ice cream, an award-winning dessert.
Two noteworthy extreme sports events this year are the Endurocross and the Trail Run, a motorcycle race and half marathon, which cut through Mayon’s rugged and challenging lava trail where the old Cagsawa village used to stand.
Another adventure in the area is driving all-terrain vehicles on a path near the foot of Mayon.
Mr. Salceda — now the congressman of Albay’s second district and a resident of Daraga — said the festival will highlight the fast-urbanizing first-class municipality as it aspires for cityhood.
