Mutya ng Daragang Magayon 2014 Winners

     The search for Mutya ng Daragang Magayon is one of the highlights of the Daragang Magayon Festival 2014 celebration in the province of Albay. The pageant is an annual search for the woman who best represents the beauty and character of Daragang Magayon. In his address to the people during the pageant night, Governor Joey Salceda said that "Imbedded in the guise of a pageant are the ideals for which we — as a people bound by one culture, and for which I — as a leader of a booming community — will continue to lead our journey."  He said further that behind Daragang Magayon pageantry is a celebration of the SPIRIT of MAGAYON -- which, according to the governor, pertains to the spirit of heroism, love of nature, constant kindness, preparedness, as well as the spirit of resiliency -- all of which embodies the Albayanos' continuing struggle for excellence and true beauty.

Mutya ng Daragang Magayon 2014 winners

Photo courtesy of Shanti Serrano

     Screening for the pageant was held last March 16, 2014 at the LCC Concourse and the Mutya ng Daragang Magayon 2014 Pageant Night took place last night, April 26, 2014, at the Albay Astrodome.

     From the 20 gorgeous ladies, here are the winners of the minor awards:

Ms. Talent Sarah Jane Balingasa

Photo courtesy of Wang Regalado

Parade of Higantes in Daragang Magayon Festival 2014

     The Parade of Giants, a colorful display of over 50 "higantes" representing Albay's mythological creatures, took center stage last March 25, 2014 as part of the Daragang Magayon Festival celebration. The characters on the "Parade of Higantes" were adopted from the book "The Brief Account of Beliefs, Legends, Superstitions and Religion of the Ancient Indios of Bicol" written by Fray Jose Castaño and published in 1885 in Madrid, Spain.^[1] Characters such as Daragang Magayon, Datu Makusog, Panganoron, Pagtuga, Linog, Sagugurang, Oryol, Ibingan, Angogolood, and Tambaloslos came in giant papier-mâché sculptures which are over 10 feet tall and paraded from Bicol University (assembly area) to Peñaranda Park.

Giant Anitos (Photo by  Peoalbay Albay Province)

     Here are some of the "higantes" during the parade, photos all taken from Governor Joey Salceda's facebook page:

Ibingan (Photo by Shanti Serrano)

Ginoo ni Daragang Magayon 2014 Winners

     Ginoo ni Daragang Magayon is an annual male search in the province of Albay as part of the Daragang Magayon Festival celebration. Screening was held last March 16, 2014 at the LCC Concourse and the Ginoo ni Daragang Magayon Pageant Night happened last April 5, 2014 at the Albay Astrodome.

Ginoo ni Daragang Magayon 2014 winners.

Photo courtesy of Magayon Festival Facebook page.

Here are the winners for the minor awards:

14th Daragang Magayon Festival Grand Opening

     Despite the gloomy weather, the 14th Daragang Magayon Festival officially kicked off in high spirits on Monday, March 24, 2014.  The festival opened with a thanksgiving mass "Misa Sa Daragang Magayon" and the "Daragang Magayon Cheers" at the Albay Astrodome, followed by the ribbon cutting  at Peñaranda Park. In the afternoon, the Gayon Bicol Festival of Festivals parade commenced in Ilawod, Daraga, Albay and culminated in a showdown at the Bicol University Grandstand. In the evening, a fashion exhibit called "Night of Fashion, Culture, and Tradition" was held at The Oriental Hotel lobby, followed by the Daragang Magayon Concert at the Albay Astrome. The evening also marked the opening of "Rocklakan sa Daragang Magayon," a month long beer-fest with rock bands regularly performing, also in Peñaranda Park.

Photo by Othelo Padre, grabbed from Governor Joey Salceda's Facebook page.

     Daragang Magayon Festival is an annual month-long celebration in Albay, which, for this year, will be from March 24 to April 30. The festival is celebrated to relive the legend of the tragic love between Daragang Magayon (beautiful maiden) and Panganoron (clouds)^[1] as well as to showcase the cultural and tourism wonders of the province.

     Here are some of the sights and fanfare which delighted visitors and Albayanos alike during the Daragang Magayon Festival 2014 Grand Opening Day:

Of Churches and New Adventures

     Hey wanderers, what's up?  I owe you guys an apology for not updating my blogs frequently this year. I have several truly valid reasons why I've been away which I've explained on a separate POST. Do click on the link if you're curious as to what I've been doing since my previous updates.

     Anyway, last November 8, my brother left for the United States to embark on a new adventure. He was a bit tensed days before his flight so we've decided to calm his nerves by visiting some familiar churches in our area. I told my brother that he needs to pray for courage and seek for God's blessings before his trip. And so, we spent an entire day going around Albay and was able to visit five genuinely magnificent churches: