MEDIA RELEASE

March 2011

WOW CARAGA 2011 - Payanig sa Bislig

A Celebration of Thanksgiving

Kalagans recently celebrated the 16 th

founding anniversary of Caraga, dubbed
as Wow Caraga 2011.

As an administrative region under

Republic Act 7901, it is composed of the
six cities of Butuan, Surigao, Bislig,
Cabadbaran, Tandang and Bayugan, and
the five provinces of Agusan del Norte,
Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte,
Surigao del Sur and Dinagat group of
islands. This year, Bislig City hosted the
celebration; thus, the tagline “Payanig sa
Bislig.”

The celebration officially opened with

the Bird Parade participated in by
students of different schools wearing
bird head gears. They converged at the
De La Salle John Bosco College (DLSJBC)
Gymnasium for the Bird and Wildlife
Forum organized by the Wild Bird Club of
the Philippines and the Philippine Eagle
The Lubi-Lubi contingent.
Foundation.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III led the ceremonial
ribbon cutting to formally open the Wow Caraga Exhibit which included the trade fair, the exhibits
of regional line agencies, the “Birds of Bislig” photo exhibit, and the garden show at the grounds
of DLSJBC. Also present were DOT-Caraga Director Leticia Tan, DOT Regional Office XI (Davao)
Director Arturo P. Boncato, Jr., Bislig City Tourism Officer Lorelei Teresa D. Lim, and Bislig City
Tourism Council President Bert Dormendo.
“The people of Caraga have a lot to be thankful for with the environment they have been
endowed with but such great endowment comes with great responsibility. The people of Caraga
must continue to protect the environment not only for themselves but also for future
generations,” Mr. Enerio conveyed in his message ushering the festival showdown.

The Calagan Festival Grand Showdown was participated in by different contingents, namely
Agusan del Sur’s Naliyagan, Surigao del Norte’s Lubi-lubi, Bislig City’s Karawasan, Surigao del Sur’s
Paladong, and Bayugan City’s Diwata. Each contingent showcased its own festival with clear
storylines and scenarios focused on thanksgiving.

Other highlights include the Seach for Mutya ng Caraga 2011, the Calagan Culinary Show and Live
Competition, the Calagan Singing Star Quest and the wild-bird watching activity held at PICOP
forest. Wild bird watching is the new tourism product of Bislig City.

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Contact:
EVELYN A. MACAYAYONG
Office of Tourism Information
525-18-05