Jinawa Festival preparations

The Jinawa Festival Council (JFC) was organized last September 8, 2008 spearheaded by the religious and local gov't sectors. Basically this is a multi-sectoral undertaking mainly for the purpose of reviving and promoting the Jinawa play.

Attendees were:

1. Fr. Jhun Balberia, Parish Priest
2. Mrs. Elvira Egay, representing Mayor Carlos M. Egay, Sr.
3. Mr. Leslie Pingal, Municipal Tourism Officer
4. Ms. Ruth Christian Jelle Suniel, SAI
5. Mr. Ignacio Tagsip, GNSHI
6. Mr. Jojo Patosa, GNSHI
7. Mr. Steven Egay, GCC

The Gigaquit Civic Club has been pushing this initiative for quite sometime and it is good that we can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our aim is ambitious as we aspire Jinawa Festival to attain the stature similar to Sinulog or Ati-atihan festivals. Though the government is an important component of the council, the decision and management of the Festival will be decided in consensus. The voice of the religious sector is especially of great importance since this festival has religious significance.

Jinawa play is basically about a lost soul who at the end would like to send a message to the living, not to commit the same sins he did, and suffer the consequences. This is a traditional play which originated and actively practiced in Kanlagsig area in Barangay Alambique. Unfortunately, at the turn of the century and as modern times set in, there were less people getting involved in the play.

This August fiesta celebration, there was a Jinawa play included in the Cultural Show "Balik Gigaquit Night". It was played in other instance during the Fiesta and to see examples please click Jinawa play and Jinawa video clips. A copy of the narration will be attached in this site soon.

The JFC agreed that it will be held every 1st of November in line with the Halloween Season. The 1st Festival is hoped to be held this Nov. 1, 2008. So far, the following sectors have signified interest in fielding their contingents:
1. Gigaquit National School of Home Industries
2. Bgy. Alambique
3. Bgy. Ipil
4. Samahang Kabataan (SK)

Non-contestant special participation by Saint Augustine Institue

To all, you are invited to come to Gigaquit on Nov. 1, 2008 and witness this historic event.

See you in Gigaquit!

Originally posted by Steve Egay at http://gigaquitnons.ning.com/