Star-studded Magayon Festival

MANILA, Philippines - It will be another star-studded celebration of Albay’s Magayon Festival as stars grace the event until April 30.

6Cyclemind and Ate Shawie rocked the night away in the Concierto sa Magayon last April 1 at the Albay Astrodome.

Priscilla Meirelles will hit the dancefloor with her graceful steps as she leads dancing duos in the Magayon Dancesports Open Ballroom Competition on April 13.

Precious Lara Quigaman and Guji Lorenzana take center stage as they host the Mutya ng Magayon Festival 2011 Pageant Night, one of Bicol region’s most awaited beauty and brains tilt.

Sam Milby will bring the curtains down in the month-long festivity with the Conciertong Pasasalamat on April 30.

Sam Milby

Entertainment and variety shows will showcase local talents in the Bicol region’s longest and merriest summer event.

There will also be a host of nightly events such as sporting tournaments, fashion shows, trade fairs and exhibits, brass band concerts, bridal exhibits, a bikini open competition, dance and singing contests, and the Rocklakan sa Magayon nightly food plaza around Peñaranda Park that will spice up the 30-day fest.

Precious Lara Quigaman

The festival’s highlight is on April 29 with the Magayon Festival of Festivals Showdown, which will feature the Bicol region’s best street dance festivals. The event is in cooperation with the Department of Tourism Region V and the local governments in the Bicol region. 

According to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, the month-long festival will focus on the rediscovery of the province’s history and cultural heritage, promotion of tourism assets and products, and showcasing people’s innate skills.

Incepted in 1997, the festival is inspired by the legend of Daragang Magayon (literally meaning “beautiful maiden) where Mayon Volcano, the world’s most perfect cone originated.

Guji Lorenzana

Albay takes pride in its postcard-pretty Spanish-era churches, majestic mountains, enchanting waterfalls, breathtaking viewpoints, and long stretches of fine sand beaches, the most notable of which is located in Cagraray Island in Bacacay town.

For details, log on to www.magayonfestival.albay.gov.ph.