Cagwait’s White Beach, Surigao del Sur © Jojie Alcantara

The small municipality of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur has a hidden paradise to boast of and a festivity to crow about. Blessed with a horseshoe-shaped cove with a long stretch of fine powdered sand and surrounded by azure colors matching sky and sea, the White Beach (the famous American aviator Charles Lindbergh called it Waikiki the first time he saw it) is a tourism potential once known only to its neighboring municipalities until now.

Regular day in an almost empty  Cagwait beach © Jojie Alcantara

Kaliguan Festival is celebrated every June 21-24th, which is the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. “Kaliguan” is a coined word to mean location for a good bath and thanksgiving for a blessed bounty. The weeklong festivity holds a prestigious beauty pageant (the Perlas ng Kaliguan), dance performances, sports and cultural activities, all happening on the pristine white beach and participated by neighboring municipalities and cities.

Cagwait beach during the festival © Jojie Alcantara

To know more about Cagwait’s most celebrated Kaliguan Festival,  view more of my photos here