On February 1, 1814, Mayon Volcano registered its most destructive eruption killing over 1,200 persons in the town of Cagsawa in Albay, and destroying its poblacion, or town proper.
The Cagsawa Ruins, where only the church belfry stands, is what remains of the Spanish-era town whose population relocated to higher and safer grounds in present-day Daraga.
Since then, the perfect-coned volcano would erupt every decade or so, though of smaller magnitude.
In a unique twist of fate, a cultural festival was crafted in 2012 by former Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda to mark the 198th anniversary of the tragedy.
Aptly called Cagsawa Festival, the event puts to the fore Daraga’s history, heritage and everything in between in a monthlong province-wide observance.
The festivity showcases a wide array of entertainment shows, musical tilts, sports tournaments, sociocivic activities, pageants, culinary activities and special interest events.
The town is at the core of Albay’s culinary tourism program with the presence of homegrown restaurants, such as Balay Cena Una, Alvi’s Café, Balay Bicol, Casa Lorenzo Food and Culture and First Colonial Grill. The latter is home of the sili ice cream, an award-winning trademark dessert of Bicol.
Salceda, who is now representative 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.
Now on its sixth year, the celebration’s locus is the cultural presentation and street-dance competition on February 21 from contingents depicting events surrounding the 1814 eruption.
Bicol region’s iconic image and top tourist attraction, the Cagsawa Ruins was declared by the National Museum in 2016 as a National Cultural Treasure, the country’s highest designation for a cultural property.
Two noteworthy extreme sports events 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 exciting adventure activity around the area is driving the all-terrain vehicle on the beaten path near the foot of Mayon.
Image credits: Arnolf Lorcha