Nabua

Municipality of Camarines Sur

Nabua, Camarines Sur is a historic Rinconada municipality known for its deep religious heritage, agricultural traditions, and vibrant community celebrations. Its long history and cultural traditions make it an important part of the Rinconada area's heritage.

Baao Balatan Bato Buhi Bula Iriga Nabua

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Discover the story of this municipality

Nabua is a municipality in the Rinconada area of Camarines Sur and is one of the seven LGUs in the province's Rinconada Lake & Volcanic Basin District. It is situated near Lake Bato and has historically served as an important agricultural, educational, commercial, and religious center in Rinconada.

The municipality's name has several historical explanations. According to the official municipal history, one tradition says that Fray Alonzo Gimenez encountered residents cutting coconuts in the area and was offered the edible coconut shoot called “boa.” Another explanation connects the name to the area's location and shape relative to surrounding settlements.

Nabua's cultural identity is strongly associated with its coconut heritage, Bowa-Bowahan/Boa-Boahan Festival, Holy Cross Parish, traditional crafts, and agricultural products. Its official website identifies bamboo craft, handloom weaving, woodcraft, and basketry among local industries.

1569

The Municipality of Nabua's official history states that it was officially established as a municipality on July 25, 1569, based on research conducted in Philippine and Spanish archives.

1571

A tradition in Nabua's history says that Fray Alonzo Gimenez reached the settlement then called Lupa and encountered the local coconut culture that became associated with the name “Nabua.”

1578

Franciscan missionaries Fray Pablo de Jesus and Fray Bartolome Ruiz established a church in Antacodos and placed a large cross there. Several settlements were subsequently consolidated.

1734

The Murillo-Velarde map identified the town as “Nava,” a Spanish term associated with a level piece of land.

1975

The first Boa-Boahan Festival was held. The festival later became one of Nabua's major cultural celebrations.

2016

Nabua enacted an ordinance establishing the Nabua Music, Dance and Arts Festival and creating the Nabua Music, Dance and Arts Council.

2023

Nabua hosted activities under its municipal Christmas program, including Kaunan sa Banwaan, a food bazaar/banchetto.

2024

Nabua was among the Camarines Sur LGUs recognized as Fully Compliant in the Gawad KALASAG disaster-risk-reduction recognition.

2025

Nabua celebrated its 456th Foundation Anniversary, according to the official municipal website.

2026

Nabua marked its 457th foundation anniversary in July 2026.

Fray Alonzo Gimenez

Augustinian friar associated with the early Spanish-period account of the settlement and one traditional explanation for the name “Nabua.”

Fray Pablo de Jesus, OFM

Franciscan missionary associated with the establishment of a church in Antacodos in 1578

Fray Bartolome Ruiz, OFM

Franciscan missionary who worked with Fray Pablo de Jesus in the early Christianization of the area.

Pedro B. Escuro

Filipino National Scientist known for important contributions to rice breeding, plant genetics, and agricultural science. He was born in Nabua.

Sofia Moran

Filipina actress, singer, recording artist, and philanthropist born in Nabua.

Elizabeth Oropesa

Veteran Filipino actress and beauty queen associated with Nabua.

Christi McGarry

Filipino-American beauty queen and model born in Nabua.

Recognition for Outstanding Sanggunian In the 2023 Local Government Month Regional Recognition Ceremony, Nabua received 1st Place in the Outstanding Sanggunians category for 1st–3rd Class Municipalities in the Bicol Region. It also received a special award for Best Audio Visual Presentation under the Local Legislative Award.

Gawad KALASAG – Fully Compliant In the 2024 Gawad KALASAG recognition, Nabua was among the Camarines Sur municipalities recognized as Fully Compliant for disaster-risk-reduction and management efforts.

Long-standing Bowa-Bowahan cultural tradition The Bowa-Bowahan/Boa-Boahan Festival has become one of Nabua's defining cultural celebrations. The municipal government describes it as a thanksgiving celebration associated with young coconuts and a reenactment of a traditional legend involving the town's early settlers. The Tourism Promotions Board also identifies the festival as a cultural event associated with fertility and thanksgiving.

Established local arts and culture program Nabua formally established its Music, Dance and Arts Festival and Arts Council through Ordinance No. 073-2016, demonstrating an institutional effort to support local arts and cultural activities.

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Festivals in Nabua

BOWA-BOWAAN FESTIVAL

May 02, 2026

Nabua

Boa-Boahan is a colorful cultural festival held every 2nd of May at Nabua, Camarines Sur. This festival is of pagan origin for fertility and thanksgiving. The dialect alinsangan is a word that describes the characteristics of the early settlers of Nabua. Introduced in 1975 to re-enact a legend of how the town's early settlers survived the big flood that swept their area before the coming of the Spaniards. A big celebration is held in thanksgiving to recount the Nabua Chieftain do rituals feeding only on young coconuts. The coconut embryos is said to make the town folks fertile. The highlight of the affair is the re-enactment of the 13th century pagan rites which is enriched by colorful costumes. The rite is dramatic revival of the traditional boa feast during the pre-Spanish era where pagans believed that the chains of coconut embryos called "Boa" are offered to their old deities.