Gigaquit Town Fiesta 2013 Various Photos

UP Mindanao Professors 2nd Visit

Several teachers and professors from University of the Philippines-Davao visited and conducted a research regarding our locally-made wine product "Las-Ay" for the second time last September 8,  2012.

3rd Las-Ay Festival

The 3^rd Las-ay Festival was celebrated last August 24, 2012 at the Gigaquit Beach. Gigaquit Rhum or Las-ay is an exotic and innovative rum product from the vast nipa palms of Gigaquit. The festival was celebrated to remind us that even before, 100 years ago that this rum already existed and became part of the livelihood of Lumad Gigaquitnons.

Gigaquit sa Sadjaw Surigao 2012 (Photos)

Surigao City
May 13, 2012

Photo credit:  Gigad Gakit

Gigaquit contingent dancing . . .

UP Davao Profs. and Teachers Visits GIGAQUIT

Several teachers and professors from University of the Philippines-Davao visited and conducted a research last May 17, 2012 regarding our locally-made wine product "Las-Ay" or what is betterly known as GIGAQUIT RHUM.  The research is about how it is being processed , bottled and then sold in the market.

2nd Las-ay Festival

Date: July 2, 2010
Place: New Doot Beach Grounds

Opening Remarks by Mr. Leslie "Buboy" Pingal, Gigaquit Municipal Tourism Officer.

Message from Mayor Carlos M. Egay, Sr. regarding the significance of Las-ay Festival.



Message from Mrs. Letty Tan, Caraga Regional Director of the Dept. of Tourism. She delivered the donation worth more than P200,000 for the development of Gigaquit's tourism.


At the presidential table. Guests include representatives from the Surigao del Norte Provincial Tourism Office.


Message from a Gigaquitnon Provincial Board Member Lolong Larong.


A short talk from the youngest Vice-Governor of Surigao del Norte Carlos "Junjun" Egay, Jr.

There were some games . . .

Like the wine mixing contest . . .

The judges Thirdy Eviota, Alvin Egay and Steven Egay chose las-ay mixed with mango juice as the winner . . .

There was also the "Great Balancer" contest. Participants drink las-ay then cross the bamboo pole. The last one to fall was the winner . . .

Mayor Egay awarding the winner . . .

The "Gigaquitnon ako" contest was hosted by Miss Sering. The first audience who is able to answer correctly the question regarding Gigaquit, gets a prize. There were several questions and winners. One of them shown below . . .

The Barangay Captain of Anibongan won the Way Tan-away Kanta contest . . .

While a lady from Sitio Kanlagsig won the Tan-away Kanta contest . . .

The Bar enjoyed brisked sales where Las-ay was mixed with different concoctions and called by exotic names like margarita, screw driver, zombie, etc.

The last but the longest portion was the party . . .

2nd LAS-AY FESTIVAL
(News report)

Mipahigayon na usab ang Gigaquit sa ilang ika-duhang Las-ay Festival niadtong Hulyo 02, 2010. Gitambongan kini sa Tourism Regional Director Mrs. Letecia Dela Cruz Tan ug uban pang Provincial Tourism staff.

Midagsa ang bagang katawhan sa lungsod sa GIGAQUIT apil na ang naa sa kabaryohan didto sa Doot Beach kon diin gipahigayon ang maong kalihukan. Ang programa gilangkuban sa daghang games sama sa wine mixing, great balancer, way tan-away kanta, trivia questions kabahin sa Gigaquit ug uban pa, nga maoy nagpabibo sa mga manan-away. Gihatagan usab ang mga gagmay’ng negosyante ug higayon sa pagpanluto ug barbecue nga maoy gikaon sa mga manan-away. Ang pagpaninda sa mga kan-onon, eksklusibo lamang sa mga Gigaquitnon nga negosyante aron matabangan ang ilang ginagmay’ng negosyo.

Gihimo kini sa mando sa atong halandong Mayor Hon. Carlos M. Egay Sr., nga maoy tuyo nga mahatagan ug pagtagad ang nag-unang produkto sa lungsod sa Gigaquit nga mao ang las-ay. Ug kini gituohan nga mas moalegre pa kini sa sunod nga mga pagsaulog.

Kahinumduman kadtong niaging mga bulan, miduaw diri sa Gigaquit ang ABS-CBN Global-The Filipino Channel (TFC) aron sa pagpahulagway kung giunsa sa paghimo sa Las-ay, kini nagpaila nga hinay-hinay ng nailhan ang las-ay sa Gigaquit nga gitawag karon ug Gigaquit Rhum.

First Las-ay Festival (Video)

For the original news story please click here . . .

Gigaquit Wine Making on GMA 7 Davao

First Las-ay Festival

Doot new beach ground
October 31, 2009

Submitted by Miss J. Galanida / Municipal Tourism Office

Gigaquit is well-known for its nipa wine called "Gigaquit Rum”. Through the efforts of the Local Government of Gigaquit and the Gigaquit Agra-Multi Purpose Cooperative (GIAMUPCO) the manufacturer and producer of the famous wine, the “Gigaquit Rum” was identified as the One Town One Product (OTOP) of the municipality. With great pride it was also adopted by the Provincial Government as the "OTOP" of Surigao del Norte.

Accordingly, the Local Tourism Office of the Gigaquit Local Government launched the “1st Las-ay Festival” last October 31, 2009 at Doot Beach, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. Another objective was to utilize what is given by mother earth and mother nature . . . our Doot Beach. The masses positively responded and cooperated by sharing their time and money during the festival. Government employees, barangay officials and the general public gave great support to the event through their attendance . . . their contribution in promoting our local product and other tourism assets. Tickets amounting to 100/person were sold to those who wanted to avail of the unlimited meals and drinks (las-ay).

Various activities were involved . . . the bar tendering competition and wine mixing served as the highlight of the affair. Contestants were HRM students from several colleges in Surigao City namely; Surigao Education Center, Philippine Women’s University and Center for Healthcare Profession. The core point during wine mixing is they used the "GR" as the main ingredient. The flavorings depends on the choice of each competitor.

From First Las-ay Festival 2009

The winner was the Center for Healthcare Profession. They were awarded with cash gifts and certificates.

The spokesperson during the event was the Regional Director of Department of Tourism Ms. Letecia Dc. Tan assisted by the Provincial Tourism Operations Officer Mr. Romeo P. Edillor and company.

From First Las-ay Festival 2009

The Augustinians and GNSHIans also participated assisted by their respective faculty staff by giving intermission numbers. Other entertainment were performed by the Mamanwa Tribe of Brgy. Mahanub, an acoustic band from Surigao City, Rodol (the Gigaquitnon pianist), and DJ R-Cue.

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The Local Tourism Office would like to extend its wholehearted appreciation to the sponsors who fully supported the activity . . . the municipal officials, college and high school departments from the aforementioned schools, all the committees and individuals who shared time and effort for the success of the festival.