Dinagat-Bakasi Festival
HISTORY OF DINAGAT-BAKASI FESTIVAL
The bakasi is a saltwater eel that can usually be seen in muddy ang grassy parts of the sea. It is abundant in Cordova, Cebu and the town is called by some as the Bakasi Capital of the Philippines.
Locals of Cordova thank the sea for an abundant harvest of eels through its very own festival. The Dinagat-Bakasi Festival, otherwise called the Dinagat Festival, is celebrated every second week of August with events such as dance showdowns and street parades. Aside from thanksgiving, the festival also highlights the importance of protecting the sea from harm so this advocacy is included in its festivities.It was the first time that the festival was helfirstd in an open venue, constructed facing the sea, the Cordova Centennial Area, where it was swarmed by a big audience.The Dinagat Festival was called the Bakasi Festival largely due to the fact the town is abundant in eels, although they also have copious other sea resources. It was first held in 1999, and so next year it will be their 20th anniversary.
Philippine fiesta. Fiesta is a spanish word that means festival or party in english. It is one of the most interesting feature of the Filipino culture. Filipinos put so much importance to an artful and delightful celebration. Each city and barrio or town has one local festival of its own every year depends on thier patron. Some theme were name after the products or what is that place known for.
Bakasi or what is known before as Dinagat festival. It has change to Bakasi festival because this town is well known for its bakasi products.
Street dancers use creativity to incorporate the characteristics of the bakasi eel into their costumes.
Bakasi are small eels that are mostly found in the coral reefs in the town Cordova. During fiesta, many people gathered not only to watch the bakasi festival but also to taste the different recipes of the bakasi. But the most known recipe was nilarang. The Cordovanions celebrate this event annually in the name of Saint Roque. Saint Roque is the town's patron. This event date is on August 15.
I started joining dinagat festival since 2018 until now. As a dinagat dancer I experience a lot of challenging, I experience a lot of pain and also hard. As a dancer it's not a joke because you also experience be told hurtful words in choreographer. But all of that is way to show or improve our skills.
