CAVITE – The municipality of Kawit celebrated its first seafood festival called Caracol de Mariscos on Thursday, July 20, as part of activities for the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Photo from Municipality of Kawit, Cavite (MANILA BULLETIN)

Sporting seafood-inspired costumes, participants paraded on the streets and competed in the Caracol de Mariscos Dance Competition.

Photo from Municipality of Kawit, Cavite (MANILA BULLETIN)

Caracol or karakol is a religious dance usually performed during fiestas.

“Kilala ang ating Kawit sa karakol, kapistahan ni Sta. Maria Magdalena, at sa tradisyon na nakapalibot sa ating kasaysayan at paniniwala (Our Kawit is known for karakol, the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, and for traditions entwining our history and beliefs),” Mayor Angelo G. Aguinaldo said in a Facebook post.

Photo from Municipality of Kawit, Cavite (MANILA BULLETIN)

“Ngunit sa pamamagitan ng Caracol De Mariscos, napagdugtong natin ang ating pananampalataya at pamumuhay bilang isang bayan na napapalibutan ng yamang tubig (Through Caracol De Mariscos, we were able to merge our faith and lifestyle as a town surrounded by water resources).”

Photo from Municipality of Kawit, Cavite (MANILA BULLETIN)

Kawiteños also celebrated the solemn declaration of St. Mary Magdalene Parish as a diocesan shrine by Imus Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista.

Photo from Rep. Jolo Revilla (MANILA BULLETIN)

In a Facebook post, Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla said the declaration and concelebrated mass marked the start of the 400th-year founding anniversary of what is now known as the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene.

Photo from Rep. Jolo Revilla (MANILA BULLETIN)

“Muling nakaukit sa kasaysayan, hindi lamang sa Kawit kundi ng Sambayanang Katoliko, ang napakahalagang araw na ito (This important day marks history not only for Kawit but also for the Catholic community),” he said.

Known as the cradle of Philippine Independence, Kawit is the oldest town in Cavite. Its name came from the word “kawit” or hook, describing its hook-shaped shoreline along Manila Bay extending to the tip of Cavite City.