This small town of Surigao del Sur province came alive with music, movement, and community spirit as it celebrated the 21st Gakit Festival alongside its 64th founding anniversary on Thursday, November 20.
The two-day festival that kicked off on Wednesday honored the enduring cultural legacy of the ‘gakit.’ Once essential for transport, trade, and inter-community ties, these traditional bamboo rafts remain at the heart of the town’s identity, making this year’s celebration a meaningful tribute to Bayabas’ ancestral traditions.
One of the festival’s highlights was the street and fluvial parade where decorated gakit glided across the panoramic waters of Bayabas facing the Pacific Ocean, escorted by standby rescuers from the police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Search and Emergency Response Teams of Surigao del Sur (SERTTS-Bayabas) led by municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer Geralyn B. Guibao.
Residents from its seven villages also participated in ‘Larong Pinoy’ competitions at Bayabas Bay Park, featuring arm wrestling, palo sebo, copras/bunot, boat racing, tug-of-war, and alimango racing, traditional Filipino games that rekindled childhood memories and reinforced community bonds.
Municipal tourism officer Jude Limbaro underscored the cultural significance of the fluvial tradition. ‘This is a tribute to our forefathers who were farmers and fishermen,’ he said.
The gakit highlighted the symbolic union of bamboo, skilled hands, and nature’s abundance. ‘The bamboo rafts embody the unified and enduring strength of our primordial people, resilient and flexible,’ he said.
Seven barangays (Lapaz, Magobawok, Amag, Cabugo, Panaosawon, Balete, and Cagbaoto) competed for the Best Gakit Display.
Barangay Magobawok village chief Catalino C. Bandola shared that their gakit took over a month to prepare, using indigenous and recycled materials such as nipa, anahaw and banana leaves, coconut husk, and native plants. Their design featured lobster-inspired art and traditional fishing tools like the bobo, a fish trap made from bamboo or rattan. ‘This activity promotes volunteerism and fosters camaraderie and unity,’ Bandola said.
Other activities included a 21-km marathon, mountain bike race, volleyball and basketball.
Throughout the festival, families flocked to the town’s Food Avenue, sampling local delicacies that added flavor to the festivities.
For many, the festival is ‘a moment to see our community smile together.’ ‘It reminds us why Bayabas is home,’ said a resident.