DARAGA, Albay – Two years after it was halted by the pandemic, the month-long Cagsawa Festival here kicked off on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

In a speech during the opening at the Cagsawa Ruins witnessed by local officials, visitors, and guests, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo said that the festival celebrates the resiliency of residents during calamities.
Baldo said that this year's Cagsawa Festival is filled with activities that will not only encourage tourists and visitors to participate but also promote the event here and abroad.
"We're happy that after two years it was halted due to pandemic, we're back," Baldo said.
Daraga Councilor Archie Bajamundi, Cagsawa Festival committee chairman, said among the festival events are a beauty pageant, mass wedding, job fair, concert, Pagtuga 1814 fire dance competition, singing competition, dance sport competition, and fashion show.
The festival that will end on Feb. 28 will be capped by a street dance competition.
Meanwhile, Daraga and nearby town Camalig inked a sisterhood agreement which seeks the development of both municipalities in terms of tourism, infrastructure, health, education, and economy.
The mayor of Camalig, Carlos Irwin Baldo, is the brother of Carlwyn.
Mayor Carlos Baldo said a technical working group (TWG) will be formed to study the development of both towns. He said that among priorities is the creation of a tourism circuit that will benefit the two municipalities.