Celebrating a new life at the Cagsawa ruins in Albay

Heading to the town of Daraga in Albay, you will come across the ruins of Cagsawa church, its bell tower sticking out of the ground after Mayon Volcano erupted and buried the rest of it way back in February 1814.

The eruption killed thousands of Albayanos, including those who took shelter in the church believing that there they would be safe from the raging flow of lava and volcanic rock.

Today, the silent remains of the old Baroque church, built by Franciscan friars in 1724, evoke the agony, suffering, pain and distress the victims must have felt—but also offer a hint of what the church and the old town must have been like before the disaster. The site is now one of Albay's most famous and visited tourist spots.

The Berlin-based International Tourism Bourse, the world’s leading travel trade show, even cited it as one of the places to visit in Asia.

In an attempt to relive the old town’s glory and at the same time to express its gratitude to the Almighty for a new life and new beginning, the City of Legazpi has organized a month-long celebration. One of the highlights is a colorful procession of participants and performers, their vibrant costumes and movements showcasing the culture of their region and the history of their hometown. — BM/KG, GMA News