Enjoy the beauty and majesty of
Region V as Albay culminates its yearly month-long celebration of the Magayon
Festival. Founded by Governor Al
Francis C. Bichara, this month-long celebration aims to not only emphasize the
beauty of the province but also the majesty of one declared wonder of the
world, the Mayon Volcano.
The Magayon Festival started last
1999 from its original festivity Karangahan Festival in 1997. This was a move by the governor not only to
highlight the majestic volcano but also the legend behind it; the Legend of
Daragang Magayon – a story that is so beautiful to read and heart touching to
all romantic in nature.
Daragang or Daraga means young girl or maiden and Magayon means beautiful. It is a story of a young maiden, child of a
datu, whose beauty is beyond compare.
She has a lot of suitors but none was able to catch her eye or fancy
until a young man named Ulap from a
far land came into her life. They fell
in love and her father gave his blessing.
A wedding was prepared but was thwarted when another suitor, Pagtuga of Iraga, kidnapped Magayon’s father. To save her father’s
life, she agreed to wed him instead of Ulap. Ulap
went home to his land and prepared an army to defend his love. On the wedding day of Magayon, a war took place as the army of Ulap and Pagtuga
met. Pagtuga
was killed and it was supposedly a happy ending when an arrow hit Magayon at the back. In the arms of her love, she died and Ulap was stabbed by a spear by a
guardsman of Pagtugo. They were then laid together, Magayon and Ulap, and on their ground it
slowly rose to great heights showing the love between the maiden and the
warrior. It was said that whenever the
volcano is hidden by clouds, it is the lover kissing one another.
This year, the culmination will
happen on May 29 to the 31st of May with various activities covering
beauty, sports, talent and thanksgiving.
On the 29th of May, the 57th Sikaran National
Tournament will take place on 9:00AM at the Ayala Mall with a singing contest
(Grand Finals) on 6:00pm at the Penaranda Park. The search for Mutyang Magayon
will happen the next day on 7:00PM at the Albay Astrodome. The last day, May
31, will be a day of Summer Dance Camp from 8:00AM till 5:00PM. Intersecting is
a street competition at 2:00PM. Closing
the event will be a Firework display and a street party at the Penaranda Park. A musical treat is also set in the Astrodome
at 7:00PM, simultaneously happening with the street party.
True to his vision, Gov. Al
Francis C. Bichara aims to make Albay a true tourist destination place in
Southern Luzon. This month long
celebration is but a taste of what Albay has to offer in terms of
sights, sounds and hospitality, something that the governor has visualized and
only a true Bicolano will understand
and see the vision he has drawn for the province. With the fanfare from far North to Quezon
Province during their festivities, Albay is never far behind in showcasing why
it is a must place to be. Let Albay
enchant you with its beauty, story and culture.
**All images used were taken from the web and from Albay.gov.ph site
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