Paoay, Ilocos Norte—The five-day Guling-guling festival in this town succeeded in attracting not only local and domestic tourists but also foreign tourists to participate in the festivities which lasted from February 24 to 28. The Guling-guling festival, which usually starts on Ash Wednesday, had been the local residents’ traditional way of presenting their arts and culture—something they have preserved since these were introduced by Spanish friars during the 16th century. The word “Guling” is an Ilocano word which means mark, smear or make a sign. It is a part of the belief that an imprinted sign of the cross on one’s forehead using wet white flour would cleanse one’s sins. Mayor Bonifacio C. Clemente Jr. related that amidst the scarce funds of the municipal government, they still managed to raise funds from several benefactors, including the provincial government, to ensure that the festivities would continue to be enjoyed not only by local residents but also visitors. According to Clemente, the celebration showcases the unique culture of merrymaking of the Paoayeños as they try to pass this down to the new generation. Among the highlights of the festival is the grand motorcade around the municipality’s town proper where participants were later enjoined to partake in the dudol-making and basi-drinking. Dudol is a native cake made from rice while basi is the Ilocanos’ native wine fermented from sugarcane. For this year’s festivity, the Paoay Tourism Council has initiated the search for the Guling-guling house, to be judged based on the antiques displayed, religious concept and tradition; the creativity, innovation, authenticity of props and overall impact of the presentations. Prizes for the said contest ranged up to P15,000. Another highlight of the fiesta is the ulnas (wooden sled) parade and dance parade participated in by contingents from the town’s different barangays. Ulnas has been one of the farm implements that had withstood time in Paoay and which had been handed down from one generation to another. With this, Paoay farmers need not worry about spiraling fuel prices as the ulnas also doubles as a means of transportation for farm products. The dance parade showcased the folk dances of Paoayeños including the pandanggo Paoayeña, ariquenquen, curatsa, amorosa, and La Jota Paoayeña participated in by senior citizens in their attractive inabel (hand-woven) dresses. Leilanie G. Adriano
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