Guyum-Guyuman Festival Shows Respect for Hard Work

GUYUM-GUYUMAN FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://www.traveling-up.com/5-weird-pinoy-fiestas/

The Municipality of Pontevedra celebrates the “Guyum-guyuman” Festival the official festival of the municipality celebrated during the Month of May. There purpose is to promote and exhibit their different products and most the seafood in their municipality. Capiz is said as a seafood capital of the Philippines and Municipality of Pontevedra is the part of it! There’s a lot of products from seas, all sea shells and big fresh fishes, crabs different kinds of shrimps octopus etc. Read More: http://pontevedracapizmunicipality.yolasite.com/events.php

CONTACT:

Mayor Esteban Jose Contreras, M.D.
Municipality of Pontevedra, Capiz
Tel. No.
(036) 634-0132
Fax No.
(036) 634-0599

Info from: http://www.capiz.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=72

Photo from: http://kasadyahansacapiz-morefunhereinroxas.blogspot.com/

One of the most festive celebrations I attended was the 4th Guyum-guyuman Festival of the Municipality of Pontevedra in my home province, Capiz. Though it started as Balintawakan Festival in 1988, it was renamed Guyum-guyuman Festival in 2008 to depict the way of life of the inhabitants of this town formerly called “Caguyuman.” This literally means “anthill” because many people from neighboring municipalities came to the area like a swarm of ants for commerce and trade. Barter trading is still practiced in the municipality during Market days.

The town’s annual municipal and religious fiesta was highlighted by a series of events. The most notable ones were the reenactment of Caguyumanons like Barter trading, the exciting Subay sa Suba sang Tinagong Dagat, mangrove rehabilitation-planting activities, awarding of notable outstanding Pontevedrahons citizens and organizations plus the spectacular Guyum-guyuman tribal street dancing. Read More: http://assylareeney.blogspot.com/2016/03/guyum-guyuman-festival.html

Photo from: http://assylareeney.blogspot.com/2016/03/guyum-guyuman-festival.html

Kasadyahan sa Capiz at Guyum-guyuman Festival was taken from the town’s old name: “Caguyuman,” meaning anthill. People from nearby municipalities of Pan-ay, Panitan, Maayon and Pres. Roxas would thrive in the market place like swarms of ants for trading. This rich tradition is now a celebration of life and thanksgiving for all “Caguyumanons.”

Formerly the town was a part of Panay, being the first settlement in the Province of Capiz. Three years after the town leaders decided to transfer the poblacion to its present site because of the accessibility to the mouth and the big and navigable Agbalo River. Then General Crespo passed a decree making it an independent town from Panay only in the year 1853.

“CAGUYUMAN” a term descriptive of the Place of “Ants” or “Ant Hill”, the native of the town call that place. This had been because during that time the market days of the town attracted to a very large number of people from the neighboring town and far way places. This people came to town like swarms of ants, on foot, bullcarts in bancas and sailboats. Hence, the name was “CAGUYUMAN”. Read More: http://kasadyahansacapiz17.blogspot.com/2016/02/pontevedra-capiz.html

Photo from: http://kasadyahansacapiz17.blogspot.com/2016/02/pontevedra-capiz.html

The Guyum-Guyuman Festival of Pontevedra is taken from the town’s old name: “Caguyuman,” meaning anthill. Because of its location near the river, the town is a popular trading post especially during market day. Just like ants crawling all around an anthill, people from nearby towns converge here to deliver and buy goods. The rich tradition is now a celebration of life and thanksgiving for all “Caguyumanons.” The “ant-ics” during the festival every May 9-15 reflects the hard work and industry of the people. Read More: https://www.traveling-up.com/5-weird-pinoy-fiestas/