Governor Lray Villafuerte unveils CamSur’s most ambitious lineup in festival history featuring the Nation’s Girl Group fresh off their historic Coachella debut
PILI, CAMARINES SUR - May 2026
Summer is about to reach its peak heat — and so is CamSur. Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte proudly announced the return of the Kaogma Festival 2026, the province’s flagship cultural celebration held annually in May in honor of its founding anniversary. Free and open to all — as it has always been since 1989 — this year’s festival promises to be its most spectacular season to date. A bold, jubilant, and deeply meaningful merging of music, sports, and culture that cements Kaogma’s place not just on the regional map, but on the national stage.
A COACHELLA HOMECOMING: THE NATION’S GIRL GROUP TAKES OVER KAOGMA STAGE
Topping the bill this year is none other than BINI — the Nation’s girl group and queens of the P-pop scene. In a milestone that set the Filipino pride at an all-time high, BINI made history as the first all-Filipino group to perform at Coachella, the world famous music festival held in California, USA. Their Coachella debut was not just a performance but a declaration to the global stage that Filipino talents are a force to be reckoned with.
Now, they come home.
Fresh off that historic stint, BINI will headline Kaogma Festival 2026, bringing their signature choreography and chart-topping songs to the heart of CamSur. Fans can expect the full range of the group’s discography — from the tender rush of “Unang Kilig” to the sun-soaked exuberance of “Pantropiko” and the irresistible bounce of “Blush.” Their Kaogma debut is more than a concert, it is a homecoming, a celebration of Filipino pride in Bicolano soil.
“Coachella charged the world to see BINI. Kaogma is charging nothing,” Governor Villafuerte announced.
KAOGMA FESTIVAL: A PEOPLE’S FESTIVAL
“Walang ticket, walang barrier. Libre ang pasok [at] para sa lahat. Ito ang pangako ng Kaogma since 1989,” the governor declared.
Kaogma is not just a concert — it is CamSur’s living and breathing expression of who it is as people. More than the mainstage performances, the festival beats with a rich calendar of events that showcase the province’s deep cultural roots and competitive spirit. The Kaogmahan Street Dance Competition brings indigenous tradition to life through movement and spectacle. Dance Revolution, the Big V, and Battle of the Bands challenge the province’s finest performers and uncovers the next generation of local talent.
For those who prefer sports and adventure, the Mudrace, Tour de Kaogma, and the first-ever Pickleball Tournament at the newly constructed world-class CamSur Pickleball Club, offer thrilling competitive experiences, while the much-esteemed grassroots triathlon, Boy Kayod, celebrates the province’s hardworking and unbending spirit. The Miss Kaogma Philippines continues its proud tradition and now elevates its stage to the national level. The Foundation Mass and Worship Fest convene the faithful, grounding the celebration in prayer and spirituality.
Together, these grassroots activities do what no mainstage performance alone can accomplish: they discover new talent, honor local tradition, and create a sense of shared identity that is wholly Camarinense.
True to its spirit as the people’s festival, Kaogma Festival 2026 remains free and open admission to all, a testament to the Provincial Government’s belief that culture and celebration belong to its people.
AN UNMATCHED LINEUP: RETURNING FAVORITES AND EXCITING DEBUTS
If last year’s lineup — which featured rock legend and ex-Journey frontman, Arnel Pineda, Black Eyed Peas’ own Apl.de.Ap, singer-songwriters TJ Monterde and Zild, alternative powerhouses December Avenue and Kamikazee, hip-hop voice Al James, and rising P-pop groups G22 and KAIA — seemed impossible to top, the 2026 season has answered with even greater ambition.
Returning to the Kaogma stage by popular demand are some of the most beloved names in Philippine music. Ben&Ben and IV of Spades will come back to serenade fans with their soul-stirring anthems. Sponge Cola, veterans of the OPM scene with an enduring playlist that spans generations, will remind fans why they remain essential. And Gloc-9, the undisputed poet-laureate of Philippine rap, will return to deliver his lyrical brilliance.
Making their highly anticipated Kaogma debut are a roster of artists who represent the full spectrum of Filipino music. Earl Agustin brings his soulful sensibility; Over October, Dilaw, and Lola Amour offer their melodic, emotionally resonant indie-pop and indie-alternative rock sound; and Paul N Balin adds his own heartfelt artistry to the mix to close the lineup. Together, they make Kaogma 2026 a festival that speaks to every generation, every genre, and every taste.
CELEBRATION AS RESILIENCE: KAOGMA IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY
In a world worn down by a global crisis, choosing to celebrate is in itself an act of resilience and hope. The word “kaogma” translates to “happiness” in Bikol, and this year, that happiness carries a deeper meaning than ever before.
Kaogma Festival 2026 is a lifeline as much as it is a celebration. For the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that put up stalls along the festival grounds, it means profits and product visibility. For the creatives and events, it means work and a platform. For the tricycle, habal-habal, and padyak drivers who depend on the surge of festival goers, it means food on the table. The festival does not simply bring happiness to those who attend, it provides opportunity and livelihood for thousands who fuel it from behind the scenes.
“Kaogma is for everyone,” Governor Villafuerte has always said — and every stall, every stage, and every street dance proves it.
THE BIGGEST KAOGMA YET
With BINI headlining fresh off their Coachella stint, a lineup that spans genres and generations, and a full slate of cultural, athletic, and community activities, Kaogma Festival 2026 stands as the most ambitious, most exciting, and most meaningful season of the festival to date.
The celebration begins on May 26th and lasts until May 31st. Admission is free. All are welcome. And happiness — kaogma — awaits.
