First Gakit Festival (Photos)

March 13, 2010

JUDGES:

1. Mr. Vincent Eviota

2. Mrs. Beverly Bonite
3. Mrs. Rosalina Sering

AWARDING and PRIZES as follows:

GAKIT RACING CONTEST

Grand Prize - CLUSTER 5 (P2,000)
1^st Runner up - CLUSTER 2 (P1,500)
2^ndRunner up - CLUSTER 4 (P1,000)
Consolations - CLUSTER 1 (P500)

GAKIT MAKING CONTEST

Grand Prize - CLUSTER 1 (P2,000)
1^st Runner up - CLUSTER 2 (P1,500)
2^nd Runner up - CLUSTER 5 (P1,000)
Consolation - CLUSTER 4 (P500)

GAKIT BEAUTIFICATION CONTEST

Grand Prizes - CLUSTER 1 (P2,000)

1^st Runner up - CLUSTER 2 (P1,500)

2^nd Runner up - CLUSTER 4 (P1,000)

Consolations - CLUSTER 5 (P500)

GAKIT MAKING & RACING

MOST BEAUTIFUL GAKIT CONTEST

AWARDING

First Gakit Festival

According to its history, the municipality of Gigaquit derived its name from two native words: “gigad” which means shore and “gakit” (paypag) which means bamboo raft. The words were combined and later became Gigaquit as it is known at present. The Gakit Festival held in 13 March 2010 at the public market along Doot Beach revolved around the theme: “Baliktan-aw sa tinubdan, giya sa kalamboan.” The festival was implemented and supported by the local government unit through the local tourism office in cooperation with its 13 barangays that contributed much to the realization of the activity.

The affair which was conceptualized with the assistance of the Gigaquit Civic Club involved different activities such as gakit making, gakit racing, and beautification contest. The barangays were clustered into five groups. Each had a certain number of participants in different phases. Only ten representatives were allowed for every game set by the organizers. The mechanics and guidelines were provided for the contingents, consisting of all information such as prizes and criteria in the procedure of the game.

Mayor Carlos M Egay, Sr. graced the affair together with some attendees like provincial tourism office representatives, barangay officials, department heads, municipal employees and the general public. A fluvial presentation by clusters seemed to be the main attraction due to its colorful and vibrant gakit displays. Selected Augustinians and GNSHI students performed an ethnic dance as added entertainment to the event. This activity is one way of rediscovering the historical background of the story of the creation of the name “Gigaquit”.

Mechanics and Guidelines

1. Lumba Gakit is open to male categories only. Open to all ages and neighboring barangays

2. Lumba Gakit Contest is mandated by the Local Government Unit family through the leadership of the Municipal Mayor Carlos M. Egay Sr., honoring the historical background of the municipality.

3. All barangay of this municipality are divided or group into five (5) clusters assigned by the organizers and entitled to (1) entry only. Clustering of barangays is as follows:

Cluster 1 - Ipil , Alambique

Cluster 2 - LASICAM

Cluster 3 - San Isidro, Anibongan, Camboayon

Cluster 4 - Mahanub, San Antonio, Poniente

Cluster 5 - Villafranca, Villaflor

4. The competition will be categorized into two (3) phases Gakit making, racing and beautification challenge.

5. Each cluster contingent must choose or select from their group two (2) best racers and two to three (2-3) representatives for beautification. Same Gakit to be utilize for the challenges respectively.

6. All contingents for beautification must portray, interpret or act the traditional way rendered by the local ancestors.

7. All contingents for the Gakit making must have a maximum of five (5) helpers only.

8. All contingents/barangays will be provided materials and required to contribute one thousand pesos (1,000) for the marketing of bamboos, rope and etc. in uniform size and quantity. The standard length will be 2 meters and 1.5 meters width set by the organizers.

9. The competitors must be knowledgeable on creating Gakit. Composing of two layer bamboo sticks, every layer must arrange with ten (10) pieces bamboos as customary in the challenge.

10. Competitors will provide their own materials/props to be used for beautification such as: sack of copra, animals and other old resources.

11. The competitor who directly finishes on making gakit is required to take their gakit along the beach where the second challenge (racing) is on going.

12. The competition for the second challenge (racing) will start and finished along the Doot Beach. One representative from the organizers must assign in the designated area.

13. Fluvial presentation should be taken by the contingents in front of judges to be observed upon doing the 3^rd challenge.

14. The competition will be on March 13, 2010 starting at 1:00 in the afternoon.

15. Competitors must be at the venue 2 hours before the scheduled time for initial preparation.

16. Proclamation of winners will be announced immediately on the awarding ceremony. All contingents must be present at the same time.

LOCAL TAX CONCIOUSNESS MONTH

The Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte in cooperation with the Provincial Treasury Office and the Municipality of Gigaquit joined the celebration of the “Local Tax Consciousness Month” last January 26, 2010 at the Sangguniang Bayan Conference Hall with the theme: “Honesty in paying taxes, Honesty to God and Country” .The said activity was headed respectively by the Municipal Treasury Office through the leadership of its Department Head Mrs. Lucila T. Virtudazo, who is responsible in implementing local tax awareness in the locality as the source of government funds. This was under the Provincial ordinance no. 04, series of 2008 on the judiciary of law, entitled to people for a continuous support to government agencies particularly to such projects and general fund of the local unit, city, province or national government.



It was participated by some selected 4th year high school students of GNSHI for the dissemination and diffusion of knowledge on the importance of tax as the bridge of progress. The principals in some elementary schools also joined the celebration sharing their ideas for an organized collection as part of public awareness. The participants were tested academically through making a slogan which could boost the public's realization of the importance of paying tax promptly. The municipal assessor Mr. William Enario and the Administrative Officer Beverly Bonite distributed certificates of recognition to both students and teachers for bearing on this kind of event as public informants. With the help of some teaching staff, they successfully made a new caption on tax responsiveness for the progress of the province.

WOMEN’S MONTH CELEBRATION

Every year we celebrate a long month merriment for women, a month of giving importance, awareness and value to them. The women’s federated group in town has celebrated its Women’s month last March 6, 2010 with the theme: “Babae, Tagumpay Ka Ng Bayan” done at Municipal Multi-purpose Building, with the leadership of its federated president Dr. Elvira A. Egay Ph.D, who founded and implemented women’s group in the municipality. It was participated by a true woman and real friend Dr. Sol F. Matugas with her program of implementations regarding womens rights and responsible womanhood in the community to uplift thoroughly the true essence of being a woman. One program which had been realized was “spiritual enhancement”.

The activity was divided into 5 phases of events to make it more enjoyable. A medical mission was done at the municipal health center which contributed free Pap smear, FBS, Urinalysis and Cholesterol measures. Everyone was checked-up especially those who are less fortunate. A canvass of muses was done by the board of canvassers wherein every group of women organization select or chooses a muse representative to present their barangay. The selection process was based on the amount collected - who among the group could collect the highest amount would be declared as Queen on the coronation program.

Beforehand, a thanksgiving mass was made to give honor to the Almighty for the opportunity over the years. A parade was officially started headed by Police/Insp. Laurence Ganuelas at exactly 3:00 o’clock. Time set according to the Barangay Officials, Barangay Women’s Organization, Municipal Employees, National and Provincial Employees and the general public at the Municipal Plaza respectively. Then the opening program was formally started with the coronation night as the highlight of the event. There was also awarding of plaque of appreciation to deserving women leaders of the barangay chapters given by the local unit.

Meanwhile, the 13 princesses ramped on stage accordingly. Barangay Ipil represented by Mrs. Mercy E. Matchika assisted by Brgy. Captain Loreto Laurena and SB Member Lita Parba topped and was declared as queen for this year. The 2009 queen Mrs. Leonielyn L. Gutierrez gracefully faced the crowd before entrusting the scepter of power and turned over the cape of responsibility. It was definitely an astonishing finale as a queen of all women in the Municipality of Gigaquit. For the new queen, responsiveness on the women organization leading to a more progressive must be taken first.