Bagat-Dagat Festival

Every June, the quiet lagoon of Matayum, Cataingan turns into the biggest party on Masbate's east coast. Bagat-Dagat roughly means "to meet the sea" — and for four days, the whole province does exactly that: dragon boats, fluvial processions, fire dancers, motocross, reggae until late and fireworks over the water.

Bagat-Dagat festival evening by the water, Cataingan

The essentials

Where: Masbate Lagoon, Brgy. Matayum, Cataingan (southeastern Masbate Island, ~2h from Masbate City)
When: four days in the second half of June — the 2025 edition ran June 21–24; June 24 has repeatedly been declared a special non-working holiday for the whole province
Who: organized by the Provincial Government of Masbate (an initiative of Gov. Antonio T. Kho, running for over a decade), with the Provincial Tourism, Culture & Arts Office

What actually happens (2025 official program)

Day 1 opened with a regional water search-and-rescue (WASAR) competition and Juego de Toro, then the Governor's Night, a grand fireworks display over the lagoon, Rakarakan sa Dagat, reggae night and the Paintensity party on Parola Island.

Day 2 started at 4 AM with the Bagat Dagat Half Marathon, followed by the 1st Masbate Loop ride, a Mardi Gras and Pride Parade, the regional fire dance competition, and the crowning of the Queen of Bagat Dagat.

Day 3 belonged to engines and music: motocross, Pasalinggaya sa Bagat Dagat, and reggae with a live band.

Day 4, the big finale: thanksgiving mass, a fluvial procession across the lagoon, the bangkarera (national outrigger race) and dragon boat competition, henna and drum-and-lyre contests — then a second grand fireworks show and a headline concert (2025 brought Kamikazee).

Expect the program to shuffle year to year — the Provincial Tourism office (Masbate PTCAO on Facebook) posts the official calendar a few weeks ahead.

Getting there & tips

From Masbate City: van or Bicol Isarog bus to Cataingan from the city terminal (~2h), then tricycle to Matayum. On festival days, shuttles and tricycles run late.
Sleep: Cataingan's guesthouses are few and fill up — many visitors day-trip from Masbate City or camp near the lagoon. Book anything you can find, early.
Combine it: Bagat-Dagat falls in June — pair it with Buntod sandbar and the city food scene for a full Masbate week.

More province festivals month by month: the festival calendar →