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 . . .

3rd GAKIT Festival

Jinawa Joins Lubi-lubi Festival 2011

Bacuag Municipality
October 7, 2011

Gigaquit to join Lubi lubi Festival

Gigaquit will join Lubi Lubi Festival in Bacuag on their Fiesta Celebration this October 7, 2011...please support us . . .

2nd Gakit Festival

According to its history, the municipality of Gigaquit got its name from two native words “gigad” which means shore, and “gakit” (paypag) meaning bamboo raft. The words combined and later became Gigaquit.  To give significance to gakit (raft) which is one of the root words of the town's name, the 2nd Gakit Festival was conducted with the theme: "Kulturang Gigaquitnon, atong Palamboon" last April 24, 2011 at Doot Beach.  This was implemented and supported by the Local Government Unit through the Local Tourism Office, in coordination with the 13 barangays who contributed much for the realization of the activity.  The essence of the affair was underscored by different activities such as: gakit making, gakit racing, and beautification contest.

3rd Jinawa festival 2010

November 01, 2010 @ Municipal Town Plaza

Organizers: LGU-Gigaquit through Municipal Tourism Office & SK Federation
Participants: Clustered barangays

CLUSTER 1 : Lahi, Ipil, Villafranca, Poniente
2 : Camam-onan, Alambique, San Isidro, Villaflor
3 : Sico-Sico, Mahanub, San Antonio, Camboayon, Anibongan

GUESTS: Mrs. Ivonnie Dumadag, Provincial Tourism Officer
Atty. Arturo Carlos A. Egay, Jr.-Provincial Vice Governor


Street dancing - 2pm


Jinawa Festival Streetdancing from iraxHD on Vimeo.


Program Proper

Welcome message - Hon. Alex Natad, SB Chairman on Tourism
Overview of Jinawa Festival - Hon. Carlos M. Egay Sr
Introduction of the board of judges - Dr. Elvira A. Egay, Ph.D

>> AMOR MORALES
>> ARNEL M. ESCABAL
>> ROMEL B. REVELECHO

Reading of Criteria - Hon. Vanessa Jane Go
Contest proper
Distribution of Certificate of - Engr. Beverly Bonite, Municipal Assessor
Participation
Proclamation of Winners - Chairman of the board of judges

RESULTS:
>> 1st Place (cluster 2)
- Best in street dancing
- Best in choreography
>> 2nd Place (cluster 1)
- Best in costume
>> 3rd Place (cluster 3)

CLOSING - Mrs. Rosalina Sering, MLGOO-V

MASTER OF CEREMONY - DAN DOROTEO PESTAÑO



Jinawa Stationary Dance Champion from surigao tv on Vimeo.


MECHANICS AND GUIDELINES

1. Jinawa Festival is an inter-barangay competition, male and female categories. Open to all ages.

Here are the lists of clustered barangay:

CLUSTER
1 : Lahi, Ipil, Villafranca, Poniente
2 : Camam-onan, Alambique, San Isidro, Villaflor
3 : Sico-Sico, Mahanub, San Antonio, Camboayon, Anibongan

2. Each participant must be a native resident of a particular barangay which shall be composed of a maximum of 30 members’ minimum of 15 for a team including the props men. They too must be properly attired and choreographed if possible

3. Competitors must provide their own costumes, props and accessories and must be in context to the chosen theme. Contingents are encouraged to use indigenous materials as design.

4. The dance entry shall be take in the form of street dancing done during the parade and the main dance drama or stationary dance which will perform in a place designated by the organizers.

5. The main dance or ritual shall be given an allotted time of minimum of 10 maximum of 15 minutes prior to their performance including the entrance and exit. The time starts from the first movement of any musical instrument or musical background.

6. The contingents shall perform a ritual for 3 minutes throughout the parade around the town

7. Musical instruments such as electric guitar, keyboards and others are not allowed. Canned or taped is not allowed even the dubbing effects.

8. The contingents must be at the venue of 1 hour before the scheduled time of competition. Late arrivals of 15 minutes and over will lead to disqualification.

9. The sequence of the competition will be drawn by lots an hour before the competition. The contingents will be provided competition numbers. No other identification will be allowed.

CRITERIA:

1. STORYLINE THEME AND CONCEPT ------ 20%
 Clarity of message and clean development of storyline and dance scenarios.

2. CHOREOGRAPHY ------ 30%
 Artistry of steps, formation and floor pattern
 Creative transitions from one dance sequence/figure to the next
 Effective utilization of all dancers and prop-bearers in the interpretation of the materials

3. PERFORMANCE ------ 35%
 Precision and coordination, mastery grace and fluidity of movements
 Performers discipline and physical projection during the street dancing and main dance drama
 Overall impact created among the spectators audience

4. PRODUCTION DESIGN- COSTUMES, MUSIC, PROPS ----- 15%
 Appropriateness of costumes, props and sets, music and sound effects to the storyline, choreography of tribe or festival represented.
 Aesthetic appeal and impact of colors, textures and shapes.
 Quality or intensity of musical performance of the ensemble.

----- 100%

10. The competition will be on November 1, 2010 starting from 2:00 in the afternoon and will end after the last contingent has performed

11. Proclamation of winners will be announced immediately after the competition. Cash prizes and certificates of participation will be awarded at the same time.

12. All participating contingents should be present during the awarding ceremony

13. All contingent will be provided refreshments/snacks right after the parade.

14. PRIZES are as following;
 1st Place --------- P 5,000 + certificate
 2nd Place --------- P 4,000 + certificate
 3rd Place --------- P 3,000+ certificate

SPECIALS AWARDS:
 Best in Street Dancing -------- trophy
 Best in Choreography -------- trophy
 Best in Costume -------- trophy

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.

First Las-ay Festival (Video)

For the original news story please click here . . .

Jinawa Festival 2009 (Video)

NOTE: This story was originally posted in this site last Nov. 18, 2009 without the videos.

For several years the Local Government of Gigaquit had been staging Jinawa plays. This originated many years ago as amusement for the local ancestors of the municipality and the Spanish priests. A traditional cultural show performed by Gigaquitnons through a play with dances and music. It had been the usual practice of performing Jinawa during the festivity of the town every 28th day of August honoring Patron St. Augustine

Recently, the Tourism Council decided to make it as a separate stand alone festival instead of being part of the fiesta celebration. November 1 was chosen as the official schedule of the event due to the play's relevance to souls/spirits.

Last November 1, 2009 the 2nd Jinawa Festival was held at Doot Beach, Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte (the first was last November 1, 2008). There were entertaining performances from the two (2) barangays in the town proper . . . barangays Alambique and Ipil. These are very supportive communities headed by their active barangay captains. The street dancing started at exactly 5PM and went around the town proper. The general public positively responded. The participants with "evil" costumes caught the attention of the audience. The performers were given cash gifts for being participative and for sharing talents and efforts for the sake of the town's traditional folklore.

Double Treat Festivals!

Due to bad weather the Gigaquit Wine Festival was postponed to October 31, 2009. Here is your chance to book that flight and witness this memorable event!

The following day is November 1 which is not only All Saints Day but also The Jinawa Festival in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte!

Have a full-packed vacation this semestral break! Come and Visit Gigaquit!