MANNALON 2024

MANNALON: THE DAWA FESTIVAL 2024 SPECIAL COVERAGE Volume: XXII Special Issue No. 1 Second Semester S.Y. 2023-2024

DAWA 2024 KICKS OFF PARAGON

CELEBRATION OF UNITY, ABUNDANCE

 Angelika Agramon

Grain of Life.

Despite the unpredictable weather, the Dawa Festival 2024 kicked off with a festive street parade around the Poblacion on May 10, 2024, anchored with the theme, “Gonzaga, Agbiagka a Natalinaay tapno Umuli inda Rumang-Ay.”

The Dawa Festival offered and displayed native delicacies, and the 25 barangays were found on the street, where anyone could have a chance to taste and enjoy the culinary delights.

Following the street parade, the official candidates for the Search for Mutia Dagiti Dawa 2024 candidates were also presented and introduced along with the Ms. Gay Dawa 2024 candidates, adding excitement to the festival’s atmosphere.

Further, the Municipal Mayor Marilyn Pentecostes also said that Gonzaganians have much to be thankful for. She said Gonzaganians must be thankful for a united municipality and law-abiding citizens.

Mayor Pentecostes to Gonzaganians:

“Our dreams for Gonzaga are possible”

 Lenin Marx Siazon

Hon. Mayor Marilyn S. Pentecostes, the local chief executive, assured the townspeople that with perseverance and unity, making the Dawa Festival peaceful and successful and the town prosperous is possible.

In her message, Mayor Pentecostes expressed her pride and joy for the festival

“Gonzaganians have every reason to be proud of that they can celebrate various festivities like this in peace and harmony,” the Municipal Mayor said.

Dawa Festival is an annual fiesta celebrated every second week of May to thank the Almighty Creator for the abundance and bountiful harvest of the farmers in Gonzaga. This threeday event comprises various activities showcasing the skills and talents of the town’s folk.

Photo Credit: John Austin Viloria

Mayor Pentecostes...

and stated that Dawa Festival is an event that every Gonzaganian is proud of because it unites people and reinforces connections.

“It may not be as ostentatious as [...] other grandiose festival in the Philippines, but it is an event that every Gonzaganian is proud of because it [...] brings the essence of oneness and strengthens the unity among us,” Mayor Pentecostes said.

Mayor Pentecostes described rice as sacred and spiritual and encouraged the Gonzaganians to join the farmers in thanking God and praying for a sufficient and abundant harvest in the succeeding years.

“All of us should join our farmers in expressing gratitude to the Great Provider for each harvest and with a fervent hope that food will always be sufficient, if not bountiful, in the years to come,” the mayor said.

The mayor also encouraged everyone to show the guests and visitors their support for the town’s cultural heritage.

“Let us show our guests and visitors that we are united by our shared love for town’s culture,” Mayor Pentecostes said.

To conclude her speech, Mayor Pentecostes inspired and assured everyone that with unity and diligence the shared Gonzaganian dream is possible.

“I am certain that with our unfaltering commitment to work collectively, our dreams for Gonzaga are possible to achieve,” the mayor said.

“Let us join hands as we move towards success. Agbiag, Dawa Festival. Agbiag ti Gonzaga,” the mayor concluded.

Dance Extravaganza: Bayle sa Kalye Showcases Gonzaga’s Cultural Richness

Soul embedded with the spirit of a Mannalon, different secondary schools of Gonzaga showcased a remarkable swirl of festive dances highlighting; rice as the local's main product, offering unique interpretations of dance on the second day of Dawa Festival held at the Gonzaga People's Gymnasium.

While it may not have been a dance competition, the dances served as a trademark cementing the history of Gonzaga in the rice fields, marking a sense of unity and identity to the people of Gonzaga.

The event kicked off with an electrifying performance by the students of Gonzaga National High School, whose energetic dance routine set the dance floor for an afternoon filled with passion and creativity, followed by seven other schools of Gonzaga.

Filled with their energy, different colors illuminated across series with colorful themed outfits to express the exhilarating feats of the Dawa Festival celebration while having the audience at the edge of their seats left awestruck by the incredible display of talent and passion.

Meanwhile, the crowd filled the venue with their roaring cheers and ear-deafening screams as the performers

brought an unprecedented energy that continued to liven the audience upon their seats.

In the end, it was clear as day that the real prize was the opportunity for these students to showcase their hard work and dance prowess with the audience.

 Jet Siazon

Photo Credits: John Austin Viloria, Michelle Alicay

Along the Coastline:

Gonzaganians Show Creativity in Sand Sculpture Competition

Amid the humidity of the sea breeze, sand sculpture making kicked off its course igniting camaraderie and alluring festivity on the second day of Dawa Festival 2024, held at rumang-ay area, between Batangan and Minanga seashores.

Hosted by the Local Government Unit and Gonzaga Tourism, the competition served as an express way to showcase artistry and make the summer come alive once again despite changes of temperature in the previous weeks since May.

It was only a matter of time when the competition began, with each teams composed of 2-10 members scattered across the seashore amplifying their creativity to well renowned masterpieces of art in sands, sculpting prominent places, animals, and gist of their imagination.

Even with the abrupt changes of the weather, they continue to work upon as a team to showcase excellence and discipline while polishing the grandeur of the sculptures beneath the pouring rain and light of the sun.

It was all fun and games, as the venue was surged by participants and residents from the different villages of Gonzaga, creating a dazzling spectacle reflecting to the glimmering sea sands of the shoreline.

In the end, the participants were all recognized and acknowledged by the judges and spectators for imparting their time and effort in the said event.

Kite enthusiasts soar high, dazzle in Dawa Festival ‘24

Rumang-ay shore, the shore between barangays Minanga and Batangan in Gonzaga, was transformed into a kaleidoscope of hues as kites of all shapes and sizes took flight during the Dawa Festival 2024.

Enthusiasts gathered to participate in the kiteflying contest. The atmosphere was electric as competitors prepared their kites, each a masterpiece reflecting the imagination and ingenuity of its creator.

From traditional diamond-shaped kites to innovative, avant-garde creations, the sky became a canvas for artistic expression and technical prowess.

Spectators lined the shoreline, eyes immersed in the heavens as the kites ascended and danced with the wind. Cheers erupted as the participants executed daring loops, dives, and spins.

Amidst the exhilarating spectacle, camaraderie and friendly competition reigned, fostering a sense of community and joy among participants.

The competition reached its crescendo, and the judges were tasked with the challenge of selecting the winners.

Categories like best design, biggest kite, most unique kite, youngest kite flyer, oldest kite flyer, most environmentally friendly kite, and best traditional kite were considered, reflecting the diversity of kite-flying as an art form.

In the end, every participant was celebrated for their passion and dedication, embodying the spirit of the Dawa Festival - a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection.

 Jasper Kent Ines

 Jet Siazon

Photo Credit: Jet Siazon

GNHS ALAB Voice notches grand championship in Gonzaga Got Talent

It was a close competition, but they were closer than anyone else.

With a patriotic singing performance, Gonzaga National High School's ALAB Voice secured the grand championship title for Gonzaga Got Talent on May 12, 2024 at Gonzaga People's Gymnasium.

Clinton Alveza Antonio followed closely as the first runner-up with their emotive and evocative dance performance dedicated to their parents.

Stephen Yadao was announced as the second runnerup for their sweet and stellar singing of the song Buwan by Juan Karlos Labajo.

In his message, Hon. Atty. Eliseo Alibania reminded the contestants that they everyone is a winner whether they win or lose.

"Manalo o matalo, panalo pa rin kayo," Hon. Atty. Alibania said.

In her acknowledgement, Hon. Sherryl Anne C. Gaspar admired the talents and hoped for a similar event in the future.

"Ang gagaling nilang lahat, promise. At sana tuloytuloy pa ang mga ganitong patimpalak para maipakita natin ang ating mga aking talento dito sa bayan natin ng Gonzaga, " Hon. Gaspar said.

PANGRAMANAN:

A Creative Kakanin Series

 Kriszelle Anne Gonzales

Rice [rīs] is swamp grass that is widely cultivated as a source of food.

When rice—pagay in Iloco— is mentioned, it rings a bell for the Gonzaganians. During May, when the town of Gonzaga is covered in fascination for the harvest, the

Ilocanos marked chronological days with panagdawa dagiti pagay, known as the Dawa Festival.

The festival highlights the town's main product: rice. During the celebration, each barangay holds ''pangramanan,'' displaying a series of kakanin for folks to

enjoy. Pangramanan showcases the townsfolks' creativity in cooking ricebased foods like palitaw, bibingka, tinupig, patupat, suman, butchi, puto-bumbong, kaskaron, kalasukus, cassava cake, and puto.

 Lenin Marx Siazon

Photo Credit: John Austin Viloria

PANGRAMANAN...

But for some reason, Barangay Sta. Clara slightly quibbled with tradition and raised their own recipe called tapoy. Tapoy is a steamed rice cooked in wine that has a strong and flavorful aroma, similar to basic wine—suitable for townspeople who love to savor it.

Meanwhile, in just a short period, the taste of arroz valenciana from Barangay Isca instantly vanished into thin air. Arroz valenciana has a capturing color and taste. The delicacy is topped and mixed with chicken, sliced eggs, shrimps, and vegetables without which is impossible to be finished.

In terms of unfinished products, the biko, specialized by Barangay Sta. Maria, is incomplete

without the cheese placed on its top. The delicacy is a rice cake like the suman malagkit, but it is different in appearance as it has a plum color like the ube.

If ube is out and kulay berde is in, Barangay Cabanbanan Norte introduces sinambong. It is a sweet, square-shaped, sticky rice cake covered with a weaved coconut palm tree.

The sapin-sapin of Barangay Paradise and Sta. Maria disagrees with the concept of being covered and goes by layers. The nankeen is a chewy, colored, layered dessert topped with latik. It is tasty and can differ in size.

FROM PAGE 4

Who would know that a tiny grain has its distinctive way of standing? A rice that means to rise, and it certainly took its spotlight.

Overshoot The Mark

On the evening of May 10, 2024, both the Educator's Night and Miss Gay Dawa 2024 were held at the Gonzaga People's Gymnasium. The gathering saw the participation of the educators in Gonzaga and the supporters of the Miss Gay Dawa candidates. Discretion was left to be desired.

Although it was a cost-effective strategy for the organizers, the simultaneity of the two events gave neither the educators nor the ten Miss Gay Dawa 2024 candidates their genuine moments for the three-day festivity.

Who is who?

For whom is the educator's night? Are they not for individuals who work in the education sector?

Professionals in the education sector work long hours. Hence, they deserve a night to take a break from work. By having their evening shared with another event,

their needs are overlooked. It was a night outside their discretion, and they needed more say in organizing a night dedicated to them.

Educators ought to be respected and given importance in society. By providing them a space where they are free from the eyes of the public, they can break free from the anxiety of their demanding jobs and enjoy their time with their colleagues in the education sector.

Equality of equals

By reciprocity, Miss Gay Dawa 2024 suffers from the same treatment as the educator's night. The only difference is that Miss Gay Dawa 2024 took the spotlight for the evening, while the educators did not. Although the CSU teaching and non-teaching staff performed spectacularly for the crowd, it was not enough to call it their night.

 Lenin Marx Siazon

It would also do justice for the candidates for Miss Gay Dawa 2024 to have their night like Mutia Dagiti Dawa 2024. Furthermore, I certainly think that advocacy for gender equality is applicable in this sense, and I hope you do too. By having their night, they recognize that they are also as important as the female candidates in the celebration of the Dawa Festival.

The educators and LGBTQIA+ community were

treated like two sides of the same coin, sharing the same night—only for them to take turns on who truly owns it. In a toss of the coin, there is only one winner, and it is not a festival if there is only one winner.

Hopefully, next year, when Miss Gay Dawa Erika Salem Orio passes their crown, it will not be during the educator's night. And I also hope the teachers get the night they deserve.

Overshoot the mark Behind Our Back Unseen Efforts

Illustrated by Leonard Jake Cabais

Layout by Vincent Carl Cabasug