‘Boracay of the North’ celebrates Intayon Cabugao festival

CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur — Cabugao town, touted as the "Boracay of the North" because of its white sand beaches, celebrates its yearly Intayon Cabugao festival after the Holy Week.

"Everything is already prepared," Cabugao Mayor Dioceasar Suero said as he vows the festival, which will feature the "Sakada Centennial Celebration" and the "Global Homecoming Reunion of Cabugenians," to captivate every Cabugeño as well as local and foreign tourists.

About 1,500 "balikbayans," all natives of Cabugao, from all over the world had already confirmed their attendance in the global reunion and festival, added Suero.

Now on its fifth year, the festival promises bigger events this year.

The festival is usually celebrated in five days, but this year’s festival will be held for ten days from April 18 — 27.

A street dancing festival with the theme "Sala Sakada sa Kalsada" will feature the historic contribution of Cabugao town to the "Sakada" centennial celebration in Hawaii and the Philippines.

Cabugao takes pride in its historic Salomague Port where 6,000 Ilocanos, the last batch of Filipino migrants, left here in 1946 on board SS Maunawili to work in Hawaii’s sugarcane plantations.

Cabugao is a first class municipality of Ilocos Sur with 33 barangays.