Right after the 5:30 AM Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Parada ABACA from Plaza Rizal to the Capital grounds on May 27, 2024 will kick off the celebration of the 8th Abaca Festival.
The festival, with the theme “Pagkamoot sa Abaca: Paglaom asin Kusog kan Islang Maogma,” honors the hardworking abacaleros and celebrates the progress of the province brought by the abaca industry as the Abaca Capital of the Philippines and the world’s biggest producer of abaca fiber.
Governor Joseph Cua, Vice Governor Peter Cua and other provincial and municipal officials will grace the opening ceremonies followed by the ribbon cutting at the EATspecience: Food and Beverages Fair and Arte Isla at the Capitol lobby at 9:30 AM.
The Agri, Trade and Tourism Fair and the Kadiwa ng Pangulo also opens to the public half an hour later at the Capitol grounds.
In the afternoon at 4 PM, the same venue will see the Lakambini ng ABACA Flores de Mayo and Long Gown Competition from the Capitol grounds to Plaza Rizal, with the Virac Town Center hosting the ABACAMusikahan at 6 PM.
On May 28, local abaca farmers will compete in the Catandungan ABACA Festival Patiribayan Contests – Abaca Handstripping, Sug-ot Making, Twine Making and Longest ABACA Fiber – at the Capitol grounds at 8 AM.
Also set at the same time at the Capitol Dome is the culminating activity of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month Celebration, including the awarding of the Outstanding ABACA Family.
At 3 PM, an overflow crowd is expected to view the much-awaited Festival of Festivals Street Dance Competition and Festival Queen Competition with participating contingents to dance their way from the Capitol grounds to Plaza Rizal.
On the third day, May 29, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will sponsor a Jobs Fair, TUPAD Payout and awarding of livelihood starter kits to abacaleros at the Catanduanes Convention Center starting at 8 AM.
Another standout event is the ABACA Float Parada around the Virac población at 3 PM, with the participating floats heading to the Capitol grounds along roads that will be surely packed with locals and tourists.
In the evening at 7 PM, the Virac Sports Center will be the venue for the Lakambini ng ABACA Pageant Night.
On May 30, the day starts with the Provincial Skills Competition to be conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the Capitol grounds at 8 AM.
Happening at the same time is the distribution of Modified ABACA Stripping Knife (MASK) to abaca farmers, who will also undergo training on its use at the Convention Center.
From noon onwards, local cooperatives will participate in the Provincial Cooperative Conference at E-Crown Hotel and Resort.
Another popular event occurs in the afternoon at 4 PM: the ABACA Grand Santacruzan 2024 featuring provincial officials and prominent personalities wearing abaca-inspired outfits for the procession from Plaza Rizal to the Capitol Grounds.
On the last day of the festival on May 31, the public will have its last chance to visit Arte Isla, EATSperience: Food and Beverage Fair and Agri, Trade and Tourism Fair at the Capitol grounds before the festival closes it curtains with the Tourism Recognition Awards Fellowship Night at the Capitol Dome.
But on the same day, the ACC Sari Suki Negosyo Convention will open at the VTC Metrowalk,
Also scheduled beginning this May 22 are several pre-festival events: the Renewal of LTOPF and Firearm Registration Caravan at Heroes Hall in Camp Francisco Camacho on May 22-23; the 2024 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week and AbacaNobasyon 2.0 on May 22-24; the Yakyakan sa Islang Catandungan: 1st National Open Fishing Tournament on May 24-25; Fun Run on May 25; and Catanduanes Motourista Challenge V2 on May 25-26.