Kagasangan Festival is a cultural, sea, and religious festival in Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines every May 16. It was organized as a toast to the aquatic resources and diving spots of the town that have become a popular tourist destination, and also as a fiesta celebration of its patron, St. John Nepomucene.
It is a cultural fest that is one of the entries in the yearly Pasigarbo sa Sugbo every August.
Etymology
Kagasangan Festival is derived from kagasangan, which is a word in local Cebuano language that refers to corals.
Premier diving spot
Kagasangan Festival is held by the local government as a way to promote tourism in Moalboal as a premier diving destination in central Philippines. The town boasts of beautiful beaches and rich, diverse aquatic resources that have become popular among visitors and divers.
The town is located in the southwestern portion of the island of Cebu. Its eight barangays are considered coastal communities and all together, they have a 26 kilometers of coastline in total. Its waters form part of Tañon Strait Protected Seascape that is covered by the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) by virtue of Republic Act No. 11038 signed on June 22, 2018.
The local marine ecosystem consists primarily of three groups: mangroves (ten species), seagrass (six species), and corals (over 50% live hard corals). Moreover, reef fish density is highest at Pescador Island as well as in Basdiot and Saavedra.
Along with fishing, its people find livelihood in tourism and “user-fee system” that also generate revenue for the local government. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular tourist activities, with the barangays of Saavedra, Tuble and Basdiot leading the three best sites for doing them. Other activities include sardine run diving and turtle watching.
In 2023, it recorded over 260,000 visitors.
History of Kasagangan Festival
Kagasangan Festival was launched in May 2009 during the time when Yvonne Cabaron was the municipal mayor and Gwendolyn Garcia was the governor of Cebu. The fest is known for its underwarter-inspired choreography, street dancing, and festival costumes.
Devotion to St. John Nepomucene
Kagasangan Festival is also a spiritual expression for the devotion of St. John of Nepomuk or St. John Nepomucene, better known locally as San Juan Nepomuceno.
When Christianity was introduced, the Augustinians worked to establish a church in various settlements of the island of Cebu. In Moalboal, the church was founded as a visita of Badian.
In 1851, the Governor-General issued a decree that approved of the creation of the Parish of Moalboal. The bishop of the Diocese of Cebu also issued a decree on January 20, 1852. Thus, San Juan Nepomuceno Parish was erected on February 6, 1852 and the town was also organized at the same time.
The Spanish-era church however is in ruins. Beginning in 2005, the parish community no longer utilized the church because it was deemed too risky. A new church was built near the ruins.
How to reach Moalboal, Cebu
From Mactan International Airport, go to the South Bus Terminal and take a bus to Moalboal.
References
- Delta Dyrecka Letigio. Moalboal’s pride: ‘Kagasangan Festival’s’ dance of the sea. Sunstar. September 3, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Jessica Ann R. Pareja. Moalboal launches “Kagasangan Festival”. May 16, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Kagasangan Festival Hugyaw na,successful pa gyud! The Philippine Star. May 17, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Annie G. Diola et al. Climate change vulnerability assessment of the coastal resources in Moalboal, Cebu, Central Philippines. Annal of Tropical Research 43 (1):35:54. 2021. https://doi.org/10.32945/atr4313.2021. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- White A, Maypa A, Apistar D, Dacal D, Baird M, Delizo, Jr D, Diaz R, Martinez R, Sabonsolin A, Porpetcho W, White E. Saving Philippine Reefs: Coral Reef Monitoring Expedition to Moalboal and Badian, Cebu, Philippines. Coast.PH. April 14-21, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Moalboal mayor attributes increases tourist arrivals to Gwen’s policies. Politiko. January 29, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- May B. Miasco. DENR expands inspection of foreshore areas in Cebu. The Philippine Star. July 15, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Republic Act No. 11038. Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Inc. and University of San Carlos Press. 2010. ISBN 978-9715390187. Retrieved May 10, 2024
- Old San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, Moalboal, Cebu. San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church — Moalboal, Cebu, 1852. Facebook. Retrieved May 10, 2024
Kagasangan Festival Summary
Name Kagasangan Festival Celebration Culture, Religion, Sea Church San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Country Philippines Date May 16 Established May 2009 Facebook www.facebook.com Founder Yvonne Cabaron Location Moalboal, Cebu Organizer Municipal Government of Moalboal Patron St. John Nepomucene Religion Roman Catholic
| Name | Kagasangan Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion, Sea |
| Church | San Juan Nepomuceno Parish |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | May 16 |
| Established | May 2009 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Founder | Yvonne Cabaron |
| Location | Moalboal, Cebu |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Moalboal |
| Patron | St. John Nepomucene |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |