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GAWAGAWAY-YAN FESTIVAL: CELEBRATION OF CAUAYEÑOS’ TRADITION

Edizon B. Abon

Philippine Normal University North Luzon

INTRODUCTION

Like other towns in the Region with tourism potentials, Cauayan City has Hispanic church

and ruins of its grandeur in the past, the indigenous Gaddang Culture, and other natural tourist

potentials awaiting development.

The indigenous Gaddang are known to be industrious, happy, and God-fearing. They are

open-minded with regard to the improvement or progress of their community, Cauayan. As a loyal

Christian, they established a festival for the Patron Saint Nuestra Senora del Pilar celebrated every

October 10-12 annually. A Gaddang song “Sitao” was incorporated in the holy mass as a

manifestation of gratitude and adoration to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The love for work and industry demonstrated by the Gaddang until the present generation

paved the way to a better community – the conversion of the town of Cauayan into a component

city. To give due recognition to the Gaddang tradition and the workmanship of all the people of

Cauayan City, the Fiesta Committee in 2002 passed an ordinance celebrating Gawagaway-yan

festival every March 30 – April 14 annually.

Gawagaway-yan, a Gaddang word which literally means “good harvest, good health,

and joyous gathering” is a celebration of the cityhood anniversary. The two-week celebration

includes cultural shows showcasing the Gaddang tradition in “Attarata na Gaddang” night, float
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parade, streetdancing competition, sportsfest and agri-trade fairs featuring mushroom delicacies

and other activities.

Tradition is not just a conservative force, but rather a principle that ensures the continuity

and identity of the same attitude through successive generations. A sociologist defined it

accurately in these words: "Tradition, in the true sense of the word, implies a spontaneous

assimilation of the past in understanding the present, without a break in the continuity of a

society's life, and without considering the past as outmoded." In its different forms, tradition is

like the conscience of a group or the principle of identity that links one generation with another;

it enables them to remain the same human race and the same peoples as they go forward

throughout history, which transforms all things. (Congar, 2004)

This study sought to explore and inquire about the traditions embedded in the celebration

of Gawagaway-yan festival. The focus includes selected events or programs of the 2016

Gawagaway-yan festival but some events of the previous celebrations are also included because

they are related to the study.

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HYPOTHESIS

1. There would be tradition being perpetuated in the celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival.

2. There would be positive response from the people showcasing their values and traditions.

3. There would be Filipino traditions akin to ASEAN showcased in the festival.

According to Roxas-Lim (2005), dances in Southeast Asia were generally performed not

for their own sake but for the most part as communal celebrations for harvest, welcoming guests,

contacting the spirits in trance, curing the sick or other community celebrations. Most traditional

dances of Southeast Asia were the outcome of the psychological, physical, and social needs of

the community at the time. In other words, music and dance were performed and admired for

their magical qualities, serving social functions, and expressing religious devotion and discipline.
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METHODOLOGY

Case study was utilized to explore and inquire about the traditions behind the celebration

of Gawagaway-yan festival. According to Stake (1995) as cited by Creswell (2014), case

studies are a strategy of inquiry in which the researcher explores in depth a program, event,

activity, process, or one or more individuals.

Data collection procedure includes structured and semi-structured interview. Analysis

will focus on the festival photos posted on the official facebook page and website of Cauayan

City. In addition, responses of the seven (7) key players of the said festival are also part of the

analysis. The key players include the city tourism officer of Cauayan City, coach and performers

of streetdance, and officers of the “Attarata na Gaddang” (Unity of Gaddang).

Statement of the Problem

Central to the study is to identification of traditions of the Cauayeños and Gaddang as

well being the indigenous ethnic group in the city as portrayed or celebrated in the annual

Gawagaway-yan festival.

Specifically, it will also answer the following questions:

1. What is the history of Gawagaway-yan festival?

2. How important are the costumes for the celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival?
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3. What cultural traditions of the Gaddang and the Cauayeños were showcased by

Gawagaway-yan festival?

Interview Guide
Name:__________________________ Sex:____Age:_________ Religion: ________________
Contact #:_______________ Ethnicity: _______________ Occupation: ___________________
Educational Attainment: ___________________________
Address:__________________________# of years of stay in the place:_____
Work related to Gawagaway-yan festival: Organizer Tailor of Costume
Designer of costume Others________________________________

Questions:

1. What is Gawagaway-yan festival for you?

2. What can you say about the celebration of Gawagaway-yan 2016 celebration?

3. What cultural traditions were showcased by Gawagaway-yan festival?

4. Is/Are there any Gaddang tradition/s embodied or showcased in this celebration?

5. Cauayan City has many ethnic groups, are they represented in this festival? How?

6. How important are the costumes for the celebration of this festival?

7. Who selected or designed the costumes of performers and even guests during the

celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival? What are the required costumes and its meaning

based on the tradition it showcased?

8. Is there any required color or pattern of designs used in the costumes? What does it

signify?
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PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS

The study found the following results.

A. Profile

Table 1
Profile of Respondents based on Sex, Age, Religion, Ethnicity, Occupation, Address and Role
in the festival

Respo Address since Role in the

Sex Age Religion Ethnicity Occupation
ndents birth festival

Roman District I,
1 F 75 Ibanag Teacher (Retired) Organizer
Catholic Cauayan City
Roman Postman District I, Organizer/
2 M 67 Gaddang
Catholic (Retired) Cauayan City Performer
Roman District III, Organizer/
3 M 75 Gaddang Teacher (Retired)
Catholic Cauayan City Performer
Roman Clerk of Court Minante I, Organizer/
4 F 71 Gaddang
Catholic (Retired) Cauayan City Performer
Roman City Tourism Tagaran,
5 F 48 Gaddang Organizer
Catholic Officer/Promotion Cauayan, City
Roman Cabaruan, Coach-Street
6 F 33 Ilocano Teacher
Catholic Cauayan City dance
Iglesia ni
7 M 24 Tagalog Teacher Cauayan City Performer
Cristo

Table 1 shows the characteristics of the respondents. Majority are females who are

professionals, both young and retired ones. They are active participants in the celebration of the

Gawagaway-yan festival with different roles but united with one goal. They also belong to

different ethnic groups.

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B. Celebration of Traditions

Table 2
Frequency and Distribution of Respondents' Understanding of the Gawagaway-yan
Festival
Respondents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total
Cultural Identity 1 1 2
Meaning of the T radition 1 1
festival T hanksgiving 1 1 1 3
Good health 1 1 1 1 4
Grand celebration/merriment 1 1 1 1 1 5
Comments on
Sing & Dance show 1 1 2
Gawagaway-yan It has colorful props 1 1 1 3
2016 New events like wakeboarding 1 1
Successful 1 1 1 3
Bayanihan spirit 1 1 2
Industry 1 1
T raditions
showcased
Creativity 1 1
Marriage Beliefs and Practices 1 1
Cooperation 1 1
Cooperation 1 1
Gaddang traditions
showcased
Unity 1 1 2
Ingenuity 1 1 1 1 4
Other ethnic Ilocano 1 1 1 3
group/sectors T agalog 1 1 1 3
represented Balikbayan 1 1 2
Significance of Colorful presentation 1 1 1 3
costumes Cultural Identity 1 1 1 1 1 5
Mentors 1 1
Basis of Choreographer 1 1 2
Costumes/Steps Elders 1 1 2
Internet 1 1
Bright/Red for Courage 1 1 2
Beads for Identity 1 1
Color/Pattern/Signi None
1 1
ficance
Motif of Cauayan
City/Green/Brown
1 1
Based on Original 1 1 2
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Table 2 shows the different views of the respondents in the celebration of Gawagaway-

yan festival.

1. Gawagaway-yan festival started in 2002 but it is an embodiment of the Cauayeños’

cultural identity and tradition. It is also a way of thanksgiving for the good health and

God-given blessings.

The celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival usually starts with a thanksgiving mass at the

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, strategically located near the city hall. All LGU employees are

encouraged to join. Below is the list of activities in the recently concluded 2016 Gawagaway-yan

festival.
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2. Traditions showcased include bayanihan spirit, cooperation, industry, and creativity.

All interested Cauayeño can join the “tree-planting” activity as part of the festival. All

sectors of the society such as the LGU, business sectors, professionals, students, and youths are

active participants.

3. Gaddang traditions showcased in the celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival include

cooperation, unity, and ingenuity.

The highlight of the “Attarata na Gaddang (Unity of Gaddang) Night” is a dance-

musical-stage play presentation featuring Gaddang songs such as “Sitao” (thanksgiving song and

it is usually sang every end of the mass celebrated in the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church),

“O Lappaw” (fiesta song about flowers), and “Siin Gafi Malannaw” (fiesta song which literally

means Cold Night); and dance presentation like “Maskota Dance” (Courtship Dance). These

presentations require bright-colored costumes which jive with the message of the song or dance.

In addition, a two-hour stage-play presentation of the different stages from courtship to

wedding showing the Gaddang tradition of “masservi” (paninilbihan), and “Carta Familia”

[which includes “Manolodolot” (pamamanhikan), “dote” or “sab-ong” (dowry), “Midafung” (the

presentation of the bride’s share in the wedding reception usually conducted the moment the

groom’s family bring the needed items to be used in the wedding to the place where the bride is

staying/living), “gala” (relatives and friends will give presents to the newly-wed couple in the
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form of cash while the wedding ceremony is going on) and “balyawan” (sing and dance

presentation of the bride, groom, and their parents).

The President of the Attarata na Gaddang narrated his own experiences when he got

married:

“Naranasan ko talaga ang paninilbihan at kailangan mo talagang mag-

ingat upang ang pamilya ng aking nililigawan ay walang masabi at
magbigay ng desisyon sa lalong madaling panahon na ituloy na ang
kasal. Kinakailangan talaga na sa bahay ng dalaga ang kasalan at
handaan.”

The Gaddang of Aurora, Isabela also celebrates Darawum, a yearly harvest

festival highlighted by contestants trying to climb the un’ek (bamboo palosebo style to

get the kirring (necklace of precious stones) and the pangal (jaws of the pig). (Toquero,

2009)

4. Participation of the people of Cauayan City including those who are residing abroad

(balikbayan) is enjoined to participate in the Gawagaway-yan festival. Different activities

every day or night are provided for every sector to showcase their talents, skills,

cooperation that is part of their tradition or culture in general.

5. Costumes and steps are part of every presentation which were selected or designed in

conformity with the theme of the Gawagaway-yan festival, tradition of the barangay

where the performers live, or tradition of the ethnic group where they belong.
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6. The motif of Cauayan City as to color is the bamboo colors, green and brown while the

Gaddang ethnic group is identified with bright or red as symbol for courage. The use of

beads is a Gaddang identity.

The Gaddang are distinguished for having elevated beadwork to an art form. Unique

among northern Luzon communities, the Gaddang are lavish with their use of beadwork.

Gaddang women are fond of wearing seed beads around their heads, necklaces, and wrists, but

glass beads and precious stones are especially priced. Their arms are never without ginadding or

ginalmaddan, bracelets made of beads and copper respectively. Their headbands are called

atifulan and their combs lagod, which are also lavishly tasseled and beaded. Exquisite beadwork

are also trademarks of the Gaddang textiles. Most ceremonial garments have beaded seams and

the front flaps of male G-strings as well as male kerchiefs and shirts may display intricate

beadwork. (Abriza, n.d.)

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SYNTHESIS

1. Gawagaway-yan festival is a celebration of cityhood, tradition and religiosity of the

Cauayeños.

2. All sectors are represented in the two-week festivities including guests from abroad and

selected celebrities.

3. The tradition of bayanihan, cooperation, unity, ingenuity, and creativity are embedded in

the different activities of the Gawagaway-yan festival.

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CONCLUSION

1. Traditions are being perpetuated in the celebration of Gawagaway-yan festival.

2. Positive response dominates from all walks of life because the people are showcasing

their values and traditions every year.

3. Filipino heritage such as religiosity, ingenuity, and creativity – attributes which makes us

similar with our ASEAN counterparts were showcased.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abriza, Mary Christine. n.d. Gaddang. Retrieved November 28, 2016 from
http://litera1no4.tripod.com/gaddang_frame.html

Congar, Yves. 2004. The Meaning of Tradition. Retrieved November 28, 2016 from
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features/congar_introtradition_dec04.asp

Creswell, John W. 2014. Research Design.Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

Approaches. SAGE Publications: Los Angeles.

Roxas-Lim, Aurora. 2005. Southeast Asian Art and Culture: Ideas, Forms and Societies.
Malaysia: ArtPostAsia Pte. Ltd.
Toquero, Elena S. 2009.Gaddang of Isabela. Katutubo. Profiles of Philippine Cultural
Communities. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts
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APPENDIX

Dances presented during the Gawagaway-yan festival.

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Winners of the Search for Miss Gawagaway-yan

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Stage Play during the “Attarata na Gaddang Night”