ALDWIN LOUIS D ESTRADA PROF.

ISMAEL LAGRASON

BSN II

Gumaca, officially the Municipality of Gumaca, ( Bayan ng Gumaca), is a 1st class

municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2015 census,
it has a population of 73,877 people.

Located at the mouth of what is now known as Pipisik River and nestling at the
foot of the Sierra Madre range. The town is widely known as a heritage town due
to the many ancestral houses and old structures that abound in the area, including
a fortress from the Spanish era. The local government is currently conserving these
heritage structures for future generations.

Araña't Baluarte Festival

Araña't Baluarte Festival

The festival is celebrated every 15 May, in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the
patron saint of farmers. This is also a thanksgiving feast for the bountiful harvest
given to the farmers every year. Being an agricultural town, this is one of the most
extravagant and well-attended festival of the town. The name means chandeliers
(araña) and bastion or fort (baluarte). This festival is different from Pahiyas in
Lucban – instead of houses being decorated with local produce, baluartes are
decorated with various agricultural products like bananas, vegetables, buco,
pineapple, and root crops; some are beautifully arranged in arañas. These crop
decor are pulled out by the people after the patron saint has passed during the
ALDWIN LOUIS D ESTRADA PROF. ISMAEL LAGRASON

BSN II

afternoon procession. The three most beautifully decorated baluartes are given
prizes. At night, programs are held which includes a pageant aptly called "Mutya
ng Araña't Baluarte", folk dances performed by students, teachers, and local
townsfolk who would like to participate in the event.

Folk dances

Four (4) of our Folk Dances have originated in the Municipality of Gumaca: La Jota
Gumaqueña, Polkabal, Mazurka Valse and Del Pilar.

La Jota Gumaqueña is a lively festival dance in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon,

which features stomping and elegant moves while using castanets and
“Panderetas”. It is derived from the words Jota (two-four time) and valse (means
waltz, a step or a dance in three-four time). Once very popular among the
prosperous families of Gumaca. A well-known local musician at the time, Señor
Herminigildo Omana, introduced this dance. It became popular with the young
people and was handed down between generations. The male wears barong tagalog
and black trousers and female wears a Maria Clara dress.

Polkabal is a dance influenced by two distinct European styles: polka and valse.

Mazurka Valse features unique figures where the girl steps on the feet of the boy.
They then proceed to do mincing step turns, walking steps, and lift the feet
sideways right and left.

History
Formerly known as Bumaka (meaning "to fight"), the present town of Gumaca was
a settlement founded at the southern bank of Palanas River in the 14th century by
a group of settlers from Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. It is in fact only 11 years
younger than the “Noble and Ever Loyal City of Manila

San Diego de Alcala Fortress (Kutang San Diego)

Recognized by the National Historical Commission as a national treasure since

1981, this fortress was constructed by the Spaniards under the leadership of
Franciscan priest Fray Francisco Coste. It was erected to help guard the town
against pirates attacking from Lamon Bay, as well as from Dutch intruders during
the 1700s. One can see some of the cannons still intact at the fort. According to
some accounts,there used to be an existing tunnel between said fortress and the
San Diego de Alcala Church, now a cathedral. Access was through a well located at
the fort's platform, which is now covered. There are four fortresses constructed by
ALDWIN LOUIS D ESTRADA PROF. ISMAEL LAGRASON

BSN II

the Spaniards, but only this one survived. It is a well-loved and famous landmark;
it is included in the town's seal. Locals call the fortress kastilyo. There have been
proposals to reconstruct the three other fortresses that were destroyed. The revival
of the three forestresses would complete the original design of the four fortification
ensemble of Gumaca, one of the most important fortification ensemble in the
region during the Spanish era.