The provincial government of Albay is incorporating “faith tourism” in this year’s edition of the Magayon Festival to give a spiritual dimension to the annual event.

“There are events in the Daragang Magayon where we will be given avenues to be in touch more with our spirituality and religion. These are aspects of celebrating. Hindi ito naisama (It is not included) in the ingredients in the past, but this time, we made sure that it is integrated as a major component. Having a grateful heart and peaceful minds will make us more productive individuals and less prone to conflicts,” Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman said in an interview during the opening day of the month-long festival on Wednesday.

Lagman said the Daragang Magayon 2024 beauty pageant slated May 25 will not be limited to the physical beauty of the candidates but more on the spiritual and inner beauty.

“We need to reflect on the religious aspect of our celebration, para mas mapalapit tayo sa totoong arts and culture na talagang atin. We want to emphasize that we are not limited to the commercialized ways of entertaining people but also on a deeper level,” he added.

As part of the kick-off celebration of the festival, the first-ever Inang Magayon Maritime Procession was held with the Nuestra Señora de Salvacion, the patron saint of Albay, was brought from Tiwi town to Legazpi City via sea travel that lasted five hours.

At least 12 boats carrying 250 devotees and media personalities joined the procession.

Other lined up events include the Grand Marian procession on Wednesday evening and the “Istorya Kan Walong Milagro ni Nuestra Señora de Salvacion” musical play on May 10, 17 and 24 in Legazpi City, Tabaco City and Ligao City, respectively.

“Magayon” means beautiful in Bicol. The festival held yearly in the month of May is rooted in the local legend of Daragang Magayon, a beautiful maiden.

Her tragic love story is believed to have given birth to Mount Mayon, which is Albay’s famous volcano known for its perfect cone. (PNA)