Agri bounty hangs high in Gumaca’s Araña’t Baluarte Festival 

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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.

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.

The fresh harvest are up for grabs. All photos by Marky Ramone Go

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.

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. 

Each ‘baluarte’ comes with its own eye-popping designs.

The displays vary in design, but all serve as symbols of thanksgiving and agricultural abundance.

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 20 baluartes, put up by the different barangays of Gumaca, spaced every 50 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. 

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 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.

Gumaca Cathedral

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.

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.

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.

Start of the symbolic dropping of the Araña

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.

Another ‘baluarte’ work of art

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.

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. – Rappler.com