LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – More than one ton of “kwaw” fish was served during the boodle fight at the Kwaw Festival 2024 in Barangay Buhatan, Santo Domingo, Albay, on Sunday afternoon, March 17.
PEOPLE eat in a boodle fight in Barangay Buhatan, Santo Domingo, Albay Sunday afternoon, March 17, where more than a ton of fried kwaw fish was served. (LGU Santo Domingo)
Noel Serrano, chairman of Barangay Buhatan, said that the boodle fight is the main event of the three-day annual Kwaw Festival where freshly-caught kwaw fish was served.
Kwaw, also known as owl fish or baga-baga, is a red fish with huge eyes and is mostly caught in Barangay Buhatan.
Serrano said that their kwaw is distinct as it tastier than other kwaw being sold in the market.
Fried kwaw was served in a 200-meter-long table on the boulevard.
Mayor Joseling "Jun" Aguas and brother Department of Tourism (DOT)-Bicol director Herbie Aguas graced the occassion.
Mayor Aguas said that Barangay Buhatan has been celebrating Kwaw Festival for 11 years now as thanksgiving for an abundant harvest.
"We are celebrating the abundance of kwaw here in Barangay Buhatan. There is at least 100,000 pieces of kwaw na handa natin para sa mga bisita. Actually, hindi lang mga fishers natin dito ang nabibiyaan kundi pati mga mangingisda natin sa sentro (We have prepared at least 100,000 pieces of kwaw fish for guests and fishermen from around our town benefited)," he said.
About 4,000 people participated in the event that also seeks to promote the fishing industry in the municipality.
"Yes, we are helping the barangay. This is in partnership between the barangay and the municipality. Tumutulong tayo sa pagbili ng kwaw and at the same time yung mga activities nila sinusuportahan din natin (We are helping them sell their kwaw and we are also supporting their activities)," the mayor narrated.
Other events in the festival were boat riding, street dance competition, and mural painting.
Director Aguas said that the tourism industry in the region is doing good after the coronavirus disease pandemic.
"Every time na nagbibiyahe ako, Legazpi to Manila, Naga to Manila, Catanduanes, and maging ang Masbate port, jampacked ang ating mga pasahero. This is a good sign that tourists are arriving in the Bicol region. Hindi lang domestic tourists ang nandito kundi andaming mga foreigners (Trips to Legazpi to Manila, Naga to Manila, Catanduanes, and Masbate port, are jampacked. This is a good sign that tourists are arriving in the Bicol region. Not only domestic tourists are here but also foreign tourists)," he said
He added that among the most visited place in Bicol is Donsol, Sorsogon due to whale shark interaction.