2008: Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia launched Pasigarbo sa Sugbo during her second term. This initiative was part of the Province’s 439th founding anniversary celebration. The festival aimed to provide each local government unit an opportunity to showcase its unique culture, talent and products. The first event took place at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City. Thirty-four contingents participated, with Bantayan Island’s Palawod Festival declared as inaugural champion. The Pasigarbo was held at the CICC grounds up until 2012.
Aug. 15, 2009: Bantayan Island’s Palawod Festival bested 37 contingents.
Aug. 14, 2010: Bantayan Island’s Palawod Festival won for the third consecutive year, besting 31 other contingents..
Aug. 13, 2011: Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival emerged as the champion, winning against 39 contingents..
Aug. 11, 2012: Liloan’s Rosquillos Festival won, beating 30 other contingents.
2013: The CICC was condemned due to significant damage from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda. Pasigarbo sa Sugbo was placed on an indefinite hiatus.
2013-2018: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo was not held during this six-year period during the time of then governor Hilario Davide III.
Aug. 25, 2019: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo returned with the reelection of Governor Garcia. The venue was moved to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) because the CICC was no longer feasible. Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival bested 43 other towns and cities.
2020-2021: The event went on another hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Aug. 28, 2022: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo was held again at the CCSC. It was organized to help the tourism industry recover from the pandemic. Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival won, with 50 contingents participating.
Aug. 27, 2023: The festival was hosted in Carcar City because the CCSC was undergoing repairs for the Palarong Pambansa in 2024. Fifty contingents participated. Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival was initially announced as the winner in the ritual showdown. The event became infamous when Governor Garcia aired her frustration with the event’s audio and lighting provider, highlighting how the “technical booboos” hampered the performances of several participating contingents, such as forcing dancers to repeat their performance of a ritual dance when their music was cut off midway through.
Sept. 6, 2023: Minglanilla’s Sugat Kabanhawan Festival was declared the grand champion, following a recount triggered by technical issues during the event.
Aug. 25, 2024: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo returned to the CCSC. Governor Garcia defended the venue choice, noting that almost all mayors requested the return citing the CCSC’s central location. Fifty-one contingents participated. Naga City, showcasing the Dagitab Festival, won the ritual showdown.