Growing
up, the game of pabitin was a familiar presence during town fiestas and
children's parties. A bamboo rack, laced with small toys, snacks, and other
prizes, would be hoisted above a crowd of eager children. As the rack was
lowered and raised again, the children would jump, reaching for whatever they
could grab.
 |
| Farm and garden produce are all displayed in colorful Baluartes during the Festival |
That
memory came back to me when I attended the Araña’t Baluarte Festival in Gumaca,
Quezon. One of the festival’s highlights is the masiglang agawan, a
lively game of drop and snatch that mirrors the energy and spirit of pabitin.
In this celebration honoring San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers,
the activity involves dropping a variety of the freshest fruits and vegetables,
which are hung like chandeliers from towering arches called baluarte,
for the festival revelers to snatch.
 |
| A more bounteous "Pabitin" |
The
masiglang agawan is the town’s way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and
celebrating community spirit, bringing joy, friendly competition, and the
simple thrill of reaching for something that seems out of reach.
Of
Chandeliers and Arches
Araña’t
Baluarte, a festival held each May in Gumaca, Quezon, takes its name from the
Spanish words araña (chandelier) and baluarte (arch). Along the
streets surrounding the San Diego de Alcala Cathedral, also known as the Gumaca
Cathedral, dozens of decorative arches are set up, each one hung with an
assortment of local farm produce. The displays vary in design, but all serve as
symbols of thanksgiving and agricultural abundance.
 |
| Start of the symbolic dropping of the Araña |
Before
the spirited agawan begins, festivalgoers stroll along in what I
overheard one of the locals saying as pamasyalan, a slow walk that
passes more than twenty baluartes, put up by the different barangays of Gumaca,
spaced every fifty to a hundred meters. Each one stands as a kind of offering
and visual exhibition, distinct in its design. Some are riotous in color:
golden ears of corn stacked beside green papayas, ripe pineapples, and clusters
of small, reddish bananas known as morado. Others are more restrained,
showcasing deeper hues such as eggplants, saba bananas, and other dark-toned
produce. And then there are the ones that mix it all up, an assortment of
fruits and vegetables, no two displays appearing the same, thus making every
festival-goer want to check out all baluartes.
 |
| The whole thing was more orderly than I expected |
Held
every May 15 in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers and a
Spanish laborer canonized in 1622. Gumaca’s Araña’t Baluarte Festival is one of
several celebrations in Quezon Province that pay tribute to the saint. Others
include Agawan in Sariaya, Anihan in Mauban, Mayohan in Tayabas, Pabitin in
Catanauan, Pahiyas in Lucban, and Sabungan in Agdangan.
The
Parade and the Dropping of the Arañas
While
waiting for the parade to wind its way through the baluartes after the Mass at
the Gumaca Cathedral, we walked into the Museo ng Gumaca, which is just a few
steps from the center of the happenings. Inside, walls came alive with
paintings by local artists depicting scenes of daily life rendered in oil,
pastel, and ink. Catching my attention among the exhibits was a burial jar,
modest in size but heavy with history. “They say it was a little child who was
buried inside,” a tourism staff member whispered beside me, as I survey its now
fragile condition.
 |
| Each Baluarte comes with their own eye-popping designs |
Not
far from the cathedral stands what it is referred to as the “Castillo,” a
Spanish-era fortification overlooking Lamon Bay. The site includes a weathered
stone wall, a small fort with its original cannon still aimed at the sea, and a
watchtower that once served as both a lookout for approaching enemies and an
observation post for passing maritime traders.
 |
| Barangay bayanihan comes alive in the creation of each baluarte |
A
sudden downpour cast doubt over the start of the parade and the
much-anticipated dropping of the Arañas. But after a brief pause, the skies
cleared, and the procession began from the church grounds, met with renewed
energy from the crowd that had waited in excited anticipation.
 |
| The baluartes are spread throughout several streets around Gumaca Cathedral |
What
I had expected to be a frenzied scramble for the hanging fruits and vegetables
turned out to be surprisingly orderly. The men, many of whom tasked to decorate
the arches with produce, carefully picked fruits and handed them down to the
festival onlookers below. Now and then, a teen with high leaping ability would
leap from the crowd to grab one, prompting a few others to do the same, though
without any pushing or jostling.
 |
| giant papier-mâché puppets are also part of the procession |
The
moment brought back memories of the pabitin game from childhood, which was more
playful than competitive, more symbolic than materialistic. In this spirit, the
Arañas tradition unfolded not as a chaotic rush, but as a joyful exchange,
adding a unique layer to the festival in Gumaca.
 |
| Spanish-era Fort |
From
a short distance, I watched the scene unfold. Then, one of the locals
approached and handed me a single ear of corn. “Here, take it so you’ll have a
souvenir,” he said in Tagalog, having likely guessed I was a visitor, with my
camera and constant filming giving clues.
 |
| Barangay bayanihan comes alive in the creation of each baluarte |
What
he didn’t know was that I was already taking home something far more lasting
than a token gift: the memory of a community’s lasting devotion, the enduring
tradition of Gumaca’s harvest celebration, and the distinct way this town
honors San Isidro Labrador with grace, fun, generosity, and a spirit that stays
with you.
