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REGIONAL BEAUTY TILT - Miss Kaogma 2006 has been elevated to a regional title and the top plum in the beauty and brains contest highlighting the Kaogma Festival which marked the 427th foundation anniversary of the province of the Camarines Sur. Miss Amanda L. Powell of Legazpi City who emerged winner is shown at center beside Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte. Others in photo (from right) are Vice Gov. Sal Fortuno, Board Member Alice Espiritu, First Quadrant Inc. president Dayee Tumpalan, TV host Amanda Griffi n and ace photographer George Tapan who were among the judges |
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The week-long celebration of the foundation anniversary of the province of Camarines Sur every May 21-27 has evolved into a genuine tourist attraction with scores of foreigners coming here along with hundreds of visitors from all over the country to witness spectacular shows.
Youthful Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte who turns only 38 on Saturday, June 3 said all competitions in the 7-day festival are targeted to become national in scope to attract even bigger crowds.
The last festival was to mark the 427th anniversary of the province
For the second straight year now, Kaogma activities have been held either in the Provincial Capitol Complex or in towns around the province instead of Naga City over which the province has no jurisdiction. Naga City, as a village called Nueva Caceres, however, was the seat of the first settlement ordered established by the Spanish authorities from which the province historically commenced.
The opening day parade in May 20 started from Nabua town to the capitol while the culminating parade on May 27 was from the Freedom Sports Complex to the Capitol.
Biggest attraction at the capitol grounds was the newly built 5-hectare water sports complex for wakeboard, jet ski and cable ski and which at the same time serves as swimming pool. It has an adjacent clubhouse and sports shop.
Governor Villafuerte has also expanded other traditional Kaogma activities to conform with the slogan “hottest festival in the world”.
The mountain bike competition which draws at least 500 cyclists from Bicol and all over the country is now sanctioned by the Philippine Cycling Association.
The erstwhile Miss Camarines Sur tilt originally intended for beauties and talents from the province have been made open to all Bicolanos now vying for the top plum “Miss Kaogma”. In fact, the winner this year was 19-year old Amanda Powell of Legaspi City.
The street dancing competition, a major come-on for tourists, has drawn bigger and more enthusiastic participation from Camarines Sur towns. Entries this year mostly did better than street dancers from anywhere in the country seen on television.
Governor Villafuerte has also increased cash prizes for all Kaogma-related contests. In the bikefest alone, more than P800,000.00 in cash prizes were given out, compared to just about P500,000.00 before his tenure.
A number of celebrities also spiced up most competitions, drumming up the attendance of constituents even from the remote towns like Caramoan, Garchitorena and Presentacion.
Among Governor Villafuerte’s Kaogma visitors were presidential son Dato Arroyo, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, Congressman Felix R. Alfelor, Jr. and Legaspi City Mayor Noel Rosal.
