2 Tons of Grilled Fish Vanish in Minutes at Cagayan Town Festival

BUGUEY, Cagayan — Villagers and guests partook of more than two-tons of Malaga fish, which were all grilled on charcoal briquettes during this year’s day-long Malaga, Guraman and Tirem Festival at the El Presidente Beach Resort Complex on Sunday. They also enjoyed grilled oysters (tirem) and shared other recipes for making tasty Malaga (rabbitfish) dishes during the cookfest. The event was part of the celebration of their patron saints, St. Anne and St. Joachim, for “the continuous abundant blessings,” said Buguey Mayor Licerio Antiporda III, after explaining that they grilled only a sample of about 45,000 kilos of Malaga this year. Antiporda said Buguey has four festivals which are celebrated by turns for each quarter. Of the year. The Malaga cookfest “is not just for fun but also as an investment for the livelihood of the people.” Buguey also organizes the Agri Festival (which is at the end of every April), Baybay Festival (in February), and the Crab Festival (in October). Various agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Labor and Employment have contributed funds that will help uplift the economy and livelihood of the residents. Three electric carts were given to three Rural Improvement Clubs in Buguey for selling seafood products. A multi-hatchery facility was also opened for malaga, tirem, bangus, and other fish. Aside from the usual cookfest, there was also a contest for cooking noodles using malaga, guraman (seaweed), and tirem as ingredients./coa