Crabs stuffed inside roasted pigs highlight Cagayan festival

BUGUEY, Cagayan – Thousands of spectators feasted on mangrove crabs stuffed in roasted pigs on Friday during this year’s Crab, Mangrove and Nipa Festival in this Cagayan town.

The event is an annual environmental and cultural celebration held in Buguey, which is a neighboring community of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

The popular McBuchon, a pun coined for mud crab stuffing of the native lechon, was gone in minutes, even when served for late lunch during the event.

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READ: 2 tons of grilled Malaga gone in minutes at Cagayan town festivalThe crab tower featuring large crabs weighing more than 200 grams was unveiled in front of the town hall.  

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Buguey Mayor Licerio Antiporda III said the municipality has been tagged as the Crab Capital of North Luzon by the Department of  Agriculture and has been busy marketing its coastal landmarks such as the Buguey Eco-Tourism and Aquasilvicultural Park in Villa Leonora village.

“This is one way to further establish our status as the Crab Capital of North Luzon while promoting coastal conservation, sustainable aquaculture, and local heritage,” he said.

Aside from promoting crabs, the town has also expanded its mangrove plantation, with 1,000 seedlings newly planted to protect local marine ecosystems, the mayor said.

He said they regulate crab population by harvesting only crustaceans weighing 200 grams or more so small crabs have time to grow bigger rather than sell them at low prices like P150 a kilo. Big crabs sell for P450 a kilo. 

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Cooks from grassroots rural improvement clubs and farmers’ groups, and  some invited chefs frombacross the region, prepared varied crab recipes and local specialties like “McBuchon.” 

Angel Encarnacion, Cagayan director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said they have continuously supported Buguey’s crab and other agri-fishery projects through  Oplan Cinderella or the Crab Industry Development through Research, Regulatory Extension Services and Livelihood Assistance.

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The town also staged Sepak takraw competitions, pageants such as Mister and Miss Buguey Teen Crab, and local boat racing as part of the festivities./coa