Kadagatan Festival - Bacacay, Albay Every Black Saturday
The civic-oriented heart of the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Mayon, Bacacay chapter has paved the way to the institutionalization of bancathon.
Bancathon started through the successful collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club, the defunct Provincial Constabulary, Albay command under the initiative of Colonel Inigo Balardo (retired), Sergio P. Villar and Col. Banadera with the tireless support of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region V.
The first Bancathon Race was held in 1982, coinciding with Black Saturday of the Holy Week, the traditional Catholic celebration of the passion of Jesus Christ at Roca Baluarte, one of the historical tourist sites in Bacacay of the Province of Albay.
On the 7th annual Bancathon in 1989, again spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Mayon, the celebration was transferred to the local government unit of Bacacay, retaining the traditional cash prize awards and trophies.
Innovations in the competition were conceived to add more color and excitement to the race. Other sea crafts were included in that race such as balsa an casco.
The inclusion of other types of sea crafts had expanded the annual sea race with participants from other coastal areas in Albay and neighboring regions in the country. These various races had likewise invited more spectators to witness the grand race, prompting the local organizers to alter the name of Bancathon.
In the year 2000, the local government unit of Bacacay took note of the increasing interest in the yearly maritime spectable by passing a legislative act that officially changed it from Bancathon to Kadagatan Festival, holding it as usual every Black Saturday.