The town of Catmon in the north is well-known for a delicacy that has reached other places in the archipelago. It is made from seeds of a plant that is abundant in the area, millet grass. The seeds are cooked with sugar and coconut milk before they are wrapped in banana leaves to produce the now famous budbud kabog.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: cebufestivals.blogspot.com
Catmon
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 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.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: wowcebu.net
Budbud Kabog
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 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.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: choosephilippines.com
Budbud Kabog Festival
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 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.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: philja.com
After the basic steps were finalized, a dance workshop was held to introduce the jingle to local choreographers who would teach the participants in their barangays. The Budbud Kabog festival theme was composed and arranged by Mr. Elvis Somosot of Musikinesis Recording Studio.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: cebufestivals.blogspot.com
Basic Dance Steps
The eight basic steps for the Budbud Kabog Festival simulate the process in making this special delicacy from Catmon. The steps are as follows:
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
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: youtube.com
While the different contingents participating in the Budbud Kabog Dance Showdown are allowed to present any dance, they should incorporate all the eight basic dance steps in their presentation. Aside from showcasing the famous delicacy of the town, the Budbud Kabog Festival is also a venue for the residents of Catmon to give thanks to the patron saint of the town, San Guillermo de Aquitania.
Budbud Kabog Festival – image source: youtube.com
In addition to the dance showdown, three other activities are held during the Budbud Kabog Festival: the Search for the Festival Queen, the Sadsaran or street dancing, and the Grand Patikim. The Grand Patikim gives people the chance to taste the delicacy as well as other delicacies using different methods in preparing the “kabog” grain. These preparations include the bikong kabog, the kabog valenciana, and the bibingkang kabog.
Have you witnessed the Budbud Kabog Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Have you witnessed the Budbud Kabog Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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