Cagsawa Festival: From Mount Mayon to Aliwan Fiesta Highlights | The Beauty of the Philippines by Mariano Sayno

Daraga, Albay

Cagsawa Festival

From Mount Mayon to Aliwan Fiesta Highlights

PUBLISHED September 1, 2022

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Experiencing the Cagsawa Festival is like stepping into a living tapestry of history, culture, and community pride. From the iconic Cagsawa Ruins to the energetic street dance competitions, every moment captures the resilience of Daraga, Albay. Seeing the festival troupe take their performance to Aliwan Fiesta highlights how local celebrations can reach a national audience, turning heritage into a shared story that inspires and connects generations.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Cagsawa Festival with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Cagsawa Festival. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Origins & Purpose

The Cagsawa Festival is an annual month-long cultural and historical celebration held every February in Daraga, Albay (Bicol Region, Philippines). It centers on the iconic Cagsawa Ruins, remnants of a church buried by ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Mayon in 1814. The festival commemorates several historical events: the destruction of the original Cagsawa settlement, the rebuilding of the Cagsawa Church in 1724, and the development of the area tied to early Franciscan missions. Initiated in 2012 by the provincial government of Albay and the municipal government of Daraga, the festival has become a major cultural event celebrating local heritage and resilience.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

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Festival Highlights

The Cagsawa Festival is a vibrant mix of street dance competitions, cultural performances, and exhibits that showcase local traditions and history. Gastronomic events and Bicolano cooking competitions highlight the region’s rich culinary heritage, while craft and trade fairs, mountain bike races, and other community activities ensure that visitors experience the full spectrum of cultural life. These celebrations are more than performances—they are shared narratives connecting the past, present, and future of Daraga.

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Aliwan Fiesta Highlight

A notable highlight of the festival is its participation in Aliwan Fiesta, the prestigious annual cultural festival in Pasay City, Metro Manila. In 2024, the Cagsawa HistoriKultura Dance Troupe represented Daraga, Albay, competing in the street dance segment at the CCP Complex. Video and social media posts confirm their performance alongside other top cultural troupes, demonstrating how the Cagsawa Festival extends its cultural reach nationally while sharing the community’s story and heritage with a wider audience.

Cultural Significance

The Cagsawa Festival is more than colorful performances—it is living history. It reminds the people of Daraga and the wider Bicol region of how their ancestors endured upheaval, instilling pride, identity, and a sense of belonging in the next generation. The festival strengthens local tourism, drawing visitors to the Cagsawa Ruins and Mayon Volcano, while highlighting the region’s resilience, artistry, and cultural depth.

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