Contingent from Lanao del Norte Comprehensive National High School showcases Baroy’s clay pots while wearing Sto. Niño-inspired costumes during the Giniakan Festival and won as the grand champion with P200,000 cash prize.
BAROY, Lanao del Norte – Residents of this town come together every January to celebrate the Gini-akan Festival, a tribute to their rich clay heritage and devotion to their patron saint Senior Sto. Niño.
The name “Gini-akan” came from the local term “gi-ok,” a traditional method of refining clay by foot-stomping on it before molding it into earthenware.
This practice is a testament to Baroy’s identity as the “Claytown of Lanao del Norte,” renowned for its abundant clay deposits that have sustained generations of potters.
Baroy’s acting mayor Rosa Olafsson emphasized the first-class quality of their town’s clay and the need for sustainable practices to maintain its excellence. She also hoped the festival would bless and strengthen them.
“Hinaut ko nga ang pagselebrar ni Sr. Sto. Niño makahatag og kaayuhan, makahatag og kusog sa akong isig-usa para matabangan ta sa atong matag adlaw nato nga ato pagalihok-lihokon sa atong kinabuhi,” she said.
(I hope that the celebration of the Sr. Sto. Niño feast will bring goodness and strength to each one of us to help in our daily activities in life.)
Vibrant and festive celebration
The streets of the town became colorful and festive as three contingents competed in a street dancing competition. Different costumes inspired by Sr. Santo Niño and props such as clay pots were showcased.
Their performances featured different stories on how Sr. Santo Niño helped the community and highlighted the clay-making of the town.
The Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School (LNNCHS) emerged as the grand champion, and won P200,000 cash prize. Their queen also won the Best Festival Queen award.
Meanwhile, Barangay Malingao from Tubod town secured the first runner-up spot, with a prize of P150,000, while the town of Jimenez from Misamis Occidental took the second runner-up spot with a P100,000 prize.
Barangay Malingao from Tubod, Lanao del Norte features festive costumes, and won as the first runner-up at the Giniakan Festival with P150,000 prize. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte) (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Jimenez from Misamis Occidental took the second runner-up spot with a P100,000 prize at the Giniakan Festival, showcasing traditional festive attire. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Charles Kien Dumadag of LNNCHS expressed gratitude that they were still the champion. It was his first time to join as he wanted to experience festival dances. For him, dancing is a talent he deeply enjoys and hopes to improve.
Meanwhile, Rhiann Reyes Pasok, the festival queen of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, felt that her experience at the festival has elevated her personal growth and exposure. She used to be a dancer in festivals and it was her first time to represent as a festival queen.
The Festival Queen of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, shines in a Sto. Niño-inspired headdress and costume at the Giniakan Festival. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
“Being part of this festival is a very big opportunity for me to represent. I’m thankful because this opportunity takes me to a higher level for myself and provides exposure,” she said.
Moreover, Patrick Solidum from Barangay Malingao, Tubod, shared that their month-long preparation for the festival showcased meaningful performance and teamwork. With nearly eight years in dancing, he sees the festival as a way to develop his passion.
“Thankful mi nga na-invite ani nga festival. Among team dili lang taman barangay makasayaw. Ilang skill ma-expose pud sa laing municipality. Aside ana mabuild-up ang ilang mga talent. Ilang ma-expose sa katawhan nga maghatag og kalipay ug motivation,” he said.
(We are thankful to have been invited to this festival. Our team can showcase their dancing beyond our barangay. Their skills will be exposed to other municipalities, helping to build up their talents. This exposure also brings joy and motivation to the people.)
Supporting local heritage
Department of Tourism-10 Regional Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan, emphasized the importance of enhancing the local products made out from clay for both domestic and international markets.
“We want to have it leveled up [through] products so that we can promote both locally and internationally. We’re planning to visit some of the clay establishments and ask for the participation or support of other agencies, including the DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] to be able to elevate our products,” she said.
Moreover, she highlighted the unique Lechon Festival of Baroy, which is celebrated every June and its potential as a premier food festival as a culinary tourism event.
She also praised Lanao del Norte’s rich cultural and ecotourism assets, including waterfalls, Mount Inayawan Range Natural Park that has been declared as ASEAN Heritage Park.
She also shared plans for dive exploration and positioning the province as an eco-agri destination.
Additionally, the Philippine Experience Program will be brought to Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental this year to showcase its beauty to embassies and stakeholders. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
The festival queen of Lanao del Norte Comprehensive National High School won the Best Festival Queen Award at the Gini-akan Festival in Baroy, Lanao del Norte. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
The Festival Queen of Brgy. Malingao, Tubod, stands out in her vibrant Sto. Niño-inspired attire carrying a miniature Sto. Niño at the Giniakan Festival. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
