LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 1 -- Officials and residents of the historical town of Cagsawa in Albay province are putting the spotlight on their hometown's rich culture and history through the month-long celebration of Cagsawa Festival this February.

The festivity commemorates three major events in the town's history: the 300th-year anniversary of the rebuilding and improvement of the Cagsawa Church in 1724, the 437th foundation of the church as Franciscan mission, and the 210th anniversary of the powerful eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814 that buried the town and killed over a thousand people.

Cagsawa Church, which was originally built as a wooden structure in 1587 and known then as Cagsaua Church, was rebuilt as a concrete building made of rock...