Dinagat Bakasi Festival – Thanksgiving for Eels

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DINAGAT BAKASI FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://cordovadinagatfestival.blogspot.com/

Also known as Bakasi (eel) Festival, the Dinagat (pertaining to the sea) Festival showcases the fishing culture of Cordovanhons. Held every second week of August, Dinagat Festival is celebrated to show the people’s gratitude for the prosperous harvest they have received from the sea (especially Cordova eels). The festival showcases Cordova’s distinct cultural heritage though authentic traditional rituals and dances. Read More: http://cordovadinagatfestival.blogspot.com/

Photo from: http://greedypeg.org/cebu/Cordova-Dinagat-Festival-or-Bakasi-Festival.html

Dinagat Festival in Cordova is a popular celebration that is annually held to showcase the livelihood and fishing culture of this municipality.

Dinagat is celebrated with religious association by holding it during the feast of the town’s patron saint – San Roque.

This newly established festival has its roots from ‘bakasi festival’, a celebration that gives tribute to the abundance of eel (locally called ‘bakasi’) in the area. The festival was first initiated in 2009. The main objective is to offer tribute to the sea resources that support the livelihood of the locals. Cordova people do a lot of fish-catching activities to support their families and their markets that supply sea food products to other places in the province.

Additionally, since the Cordovahanons found the sea as the source of their daily life, Dinagat is organized and celebrated to raise awareness in respecting the sea and protecting it from harm. This means that environmental activities that promote awareness and protection are the themes included in this festivity.

Through the colorful and attractive celebrations, the locals and its officials hope to encourage and attract support for their cause from local, national as well as international support. Read More: http://www.cebu-bluewaters.com/dinagat-festival.html

Photo from: http://blogs.sunstar.com.ph/festivals/2014/08/12/dinagat-festival-2014/

The Dinagat-Bakasi Festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration of the town’s major source of livelihood, fishing.

“Dinagat” is a local term which signifies “anything that relates to the sea.” It comes from the Filipino word “dagat” which means “sea” while “bakasi” refers to the local exotic eel that is atypical yet abundant in the municipality.

The main highlight of the festival is the dance showdown and street dancing competition. A mardigras-style of dance celebration, it illustrates the fishing traditions and Cordovanhons way of life. One of the key dance steps is the gliding movement of the bakasi.

The festival which started in 2009 is celebrated every second Sunday of August in honor of the town’s patron saint, Sr. San Roque.

For more information about the Dinagat-Bakasi Festival, contact (032) 236-8702. Read More: http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/4474/dinagat-festival-celebration-dedicated-sea

Photo from: http://www.cebu-bluewaters.com/dinagat-festival.html