The town of Catmon was named after a tree that is abundant in the area. This local tree species can reach heights of 14 meters and produces flowers with white petals. A settlement was established in 1835 by Augustinian Recollect missionaries, who were accompanied by Spanish soldiers. A watchtower was built in the area to defend residents from Moro raiders. The watchtower or the Bantayan sa Hari is still standing in Barangay Catmondaan, which was the location of the first Spanish settlement in the area.
The budbud kabog was first sold by Catmon residents at the tollbooth on the Naghalin Bridge. While people from other places in the country also make the budbud kabog, these people are supposedly the relatives of the residents of Catmon. Due to this, the delicacy actually originated from Catmon.
The budbud kabog is also the inspiration of the annual Budbud Kabog Festival of Catmon. The festival is celebrated every February 10 of each year. It was initially launched in 2006 and came about after a painstaking process that allowed the town to successfully hold the event. The process started six months prior to the celebration inside the conference of former Mayor Estrella Aribal. Mayor Aribal was joined by former Vice-Mayor Avis Monleon and the members of the municipal council as well as members of the committee tasked in organizing the festival.
The eight basic steps for the Budbud Kabog Festival simulate the process in making this special delicacy from Catmon. The steps are as follows:
- Step 1 – Kabhig
- Step 2 – Bugnaw
- Step 3 – Kayog or Hakot
- Step 4 – Gi-ok
- Step 5 – Asod
- Step 6 – Alig-ig
- Step 7 – Pasiko
- Step 8 – Kilikiti
Have you witnessed the Budbud Kabog Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.