HISTORY OF CAGSAWA RUINS

INTRODUCTION
The Mayon Volcano in Albay is known for its almost perfect cone shape. It is
the most famous tourist attractions in Albay, Philippines. It is the main landmark and
the highest point of the province of Albay, even in the entire Bicol Region. Its
magnificence catches the heart of so many. It is the very first national park in the
country. The majesty and beauty of Mayon can be seen throughout Albay but there’s
certainly no place like Cagsawa Ruins Park where the view of the said volcano can
be witnessed almost perfectly. The baroque church of Cagsawa was built by
Franciscan friars during the Hispanic occupation of the Philippines in around 1724, to
replace an earlier church that had been burned down by Dutch pirates. It is symbolic
of the dangers of living in close proximity to the Mayon Volcano.
The first stone church of Cagsawa was built by Fray Acacio de la
Concepcion, OFM, in 1675 under the patronage of Saint James the Great. Later in
1724, the church was demolished by Fray Francisco Blanco, OFM, who rebuilt a
bigger one including a convent of masonry on the same site. Added structures were
belfry, court house (casa tribunal) made of planks with cemented stone, which served
also as “escuela de instruccion primaria” or primary school, and four store rooms
(almacines) of masonry. CagsawaCagsawa was derived from the word “Kag” which
means owner and “sawa” for python. It could also mean too much or excesses. The
Cagsawa church was built after 1724 by the Franciscan friars and was administered
by Fray Francisco Blanco in the small town of Cagsawa. Cagsawa Ruins started way
back in 1724 when it was built by Franciscan friars. On 1 February 1814, on the eve
of the feast of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, the most violent and destructive
eruption of Mayon Volcano occurred. The distance of Cagsawa from the crater of
Mount Mayon is about 10 kilometres away.
This basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano produced thick, air fall, pumice deposits
to generate pyroclastic flow that destroyed and devastated the nearby towns and
villages in Albay, and ash from this eruption drifted and blew hundreds or thousands
of miles away from the volcano. After the volcanic eruption, thousands of residents
died in the towns of Camalig, Cagsawa, Budiao and Guinobatan. It buried Cagsawa
town along with over 1,200 people including those who sought refuge at the
Cagsawa Church. Mayon erupted with “plinian, pyroclastic flows” and “volcanic
lightning and lahar” according to Phivolcs. So the only thing that’s left from the
Cagsawa Church is its iconic belltower. The ruins are now joined by a wooden cross
that was placed where the Cagsawa Church altar used to be. Besides the fury of the
1814 eruption which lay to waste these structures, the ruins that were left of them
had been the mercy for the last 200 years. In the early 1930s the unburied,
uppermost wall of the church facade was still intact.
Gradually, the remaining facade of the church toppled down perhaps due to
earth tremors or strong typhoons in 1950s, since the facade had no buttresses to
support it. The entire plan and blueprint of the Franciscan missionary complex
remained unknown to many after the devastating eruption of Mayon. Some parts of
the stone structures are still visible, while others are submerged. In December 2015,
the Cagsawa Ruins was declared as a National Cultural Treasure and Important
Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines. The Cagsawa Ruins
Park is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Albay province. It is also
the site of the Cagsawa Branch of the National Museum of the Philippines. This
museum contains photographs of the volcanic eruptions of Mount Mayon as well as
other geological and archaeological exhibits.
Moreover, Some studies shows that the church of Cagsawa was not buried
under lava when Mayon erupted in 1814. An american photographer Robert
Larrimore Pendleton (1890-1957) took pictures of the church ruins 120 years later.
There is no historical evidence that lava flow went beyond the 6 to 7 kilometer radius.
The First Photograph was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 or 1827.
Albayanon novelist Abdon M. Balde, Jr. recently shared photos of Cagsawa church
on his timeline. Some supposedly date as far back as 1928. This contradicts popular
notion that church was buried during 1814 eruption of Mayon volcano. Photographic
equipment was not invented until 1827, well over a decade after the event when the
photos were taken.
CONCLUSION
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF CAGSAWA RUINS
 It symbolizes Bicol's rich history together with the strength and flexibility of the
people towards calamities and ravages of Mother Nature. Situated in Albay,
Cagsawa Ruins is a historical landmark that serves as the centerpiece of the
Cagsawa Ruins Park where tourists can enjoy the scenic view of Mayon
Volcano.
 It represents Bicol's rich history as well as the people's resilience and
adaptability in the face of natural disasters. Cagsawa Ruins is a historical site in
Albay that serves as the focus of the Cagsawa Ruins Park, which offers tourists
a picturesque view of Mayon Volcano
 Cagsawa Ruins is a historical site and one of Albay's most popular tourist
destinations, as it is located near the Mayon Volcano. Cagsawa Ruins Park's
main attraction is the ruin, which is also home to the Cagsawa Branch of the
National Museum of the Philippines, also known as the Cagsawa National
Museum.
 The National Museum of the Philippines' Cagsawa Branch opened on October
30, 1992, and it features a large gallery of images of Mount Mayon's volcanic
eruptions, as well as different archeological and geological exhibits.
 The Cagsawa Festival was held in Albay province on February 1, 2014, to mark
the 200th anniversary of the 1814 eruption. "Cagsawa Dos Siglos," a film that
strives to honor the people of Albay's tenacity. It is the most recent addition to
the province's well-known festivities.
 The Cagsawa Ruins, as a National Cultural Treasure, is now a priority for
protection, preservation and promotion by the national government, an important
step toward higher level declarations. The declaration, he added, will further
boost the historic-cultural offerings of Albay’s tourism industry. The province is
now the fastest-growing destination in the country, and recently won the Pacific
Asia Travel Association $1-million CEO Challenge, as a “new frontiers” global
destination.
 As a National Cultural Treasure, the Cagsawa Ruins are now a top priority for
the national government to maintain, preserve, and promote, marking an
essential step toward higher-level announcements. The designation, he
continued, will help improve Albay's tourism industry's historic-cultural
attractions. The province is currently the country's fastest-growing destination,
and it just won the Pacific Asia Travel Association's $1-million CEO Challenge as
a worldwide destination with "new frontiers."
 Cagsawa Ruins, according to Salceda, are also a reminder of Albay's
"indomitable spirit and endurance, surviving thus far" since Mayon Volcano
erupted violently 201 years ago, burying a huge Baroque church and the entire
settlement around it in a lahar avalanche and the flashfloods that followed. That
calamity claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. Their ruins are currently only
recognized by a jumble of bricks and pebbles over the pattern of a Spanish-era
settlement, which is marked by a world-famous ruins and the remains of a world-
famous ruins. Salceda said Cagsawa Ruins is also the symbol of Albay’s
“indomitable spirit and resilience, surviving this far,” from some 201 years ago
when Mayon Volcano erupted violently, burying a huge Baroque church and the
whole settlement around it in a lahar avalanche and the flashfloods that followed.
Over 1,000 residents died in that disaster. Their remains are now only marked by
 a tumble of bricks and rocks over the layout of a Spanish-era settlement, marked
by a world-famous ruins.

PHOTOS OF CAGSAWA RUINS BEFORE

TODAY’S PHOTO OF CAGSAWA RUINS

REFERENCES
 Sarmiento, A, R, et, al (2018) Preliminary Results Of Archaeological
Investigation In Cagsawa Ruins In Albay, Philippines: Sacred Spaces
Archaeology, ResearchGate, retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324041535_Preliminary_Results_Of_A
rchaeological_Investigation_In_Cagsawa_Ruins_In_Albay_Philippines_Sacred_
Spaces_Archaeology
 Cagsawa Ruins Bicol, retrieved from: www.philippinetrails.com
 Cagsawa Ruins – A Legacy to the Bicolanos, Philippines insider, retrieved from:
https://www.philippinesinsider.com/luzon/cagsawa-ruins-a-legacy-to-the-
bicolanos/
 Cagsawa Branch Museum.(2011).National Museum of the Philippines. Retrieved
from: http://www.vigattintourism. com/tourism/articles/The-Historical-Cagsawa-
Ruins-of- Albay.

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