WAWA FESTIVAL

"Wawa" which means "mouth of a river" or "alua or bukana" in the vernacular, was the original name of the town of Guagua as first known in the year 1590. Evidently, the town is strategically located along a river which played a vital role in trade and transportation in the early eras. Guagua was already a prosperous settlement way before the Spaniards came to take control of the town in the year 1561. Indeed, there were archeological artifacts excavated in a nearby town which affirmed a pre-historic community in Guagua. Early inhabitants opted to stay in the town because it was here that they could engage in barter trade with people from different islands, along with other means of livelihood like fishing and farming. The navigable river with which the town was endowed allowed shipping vessels to transport commodities to and from other chief localities, particularly the imperial Manila. The first cargo boat to arrive in Guagua was the "Doa Dominga" on May 7, 1884. Much later it was followed by the steamships "Kaibigan" and "Kababayan," which anchored at the pier in Bo. Sto. Nio, better known as the Yangco Landing. In 1892, when the Manila-Mabalacat railroad was inaugurated, Guagua was virtually the port of embarkation to and from Manila that served the province. Commerce was further improved when the San Fernando-Guagua line of the railroad was chartered on November 17, 1907. The Chinese people have long been part in Guagua's social and economic mainstream. In the 18th century, they sought refuge in the town to escape Spanish atrocity in Manila. After their near total slaughter, the Chinese lived in relative peace while they freely practiced their craft and mingled hand-in-hand with the local residents. The Chinese residents were merchants, masons, woodcarvers, carpenters, agriculturists, and laborers. Their influence on the cultural and economic life of Guagua cannot be overlooked. The town could not have prospered so readily without the Chinese' economic services. The town took significant part in the revolutionary struggles against the foreign intruders. A house near the catholic church was made a secret cell of the Katipuneros in August 1897. In March 1898, all Spaniards in Guagua were murdered marking the end of Spanish colonialism, and the outset of American rule. Moreover, during the Philippine-American War and the ensuing 2nd World War, Guagua became an important battleground. At the turn of the 20th century, a new system of education was introduced and made popular and available to the Filipinos. The Guagua Elementary School in Bo. Sta. Filomena, is believed to be the first to be established in the town in the year 1901. Later in that year, an English teacher came to Betis area and opened a primary school which functioned on a regular basis. In 1908, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (now St. Mary's Academy in Bo. San Roque) was established in a two-storey building donated by a charitable matron, in downtown Guagua. Later in 1918, Guagua National Institute (now Guagua National Colleges in Bo. Sta. Filomena) was founded at the convent of the catholic church. Further, in 1941, the then parish priest, felt the need for another high school in town, so he opened Saint Michael's College. At the rebirth of the Philippine democracy in 1986, the local government carried out the "Integrated Approach Towards Sustainable Development" to rectify its destitute state. The program gained several outstanding citations for its momentous achievement. From a mere "third class" standing in 1986, Guagua has grown to become a "first class" municipality. The sound fiscal status and effective governance brought forwards, translated to better and effective public service, and made Guagua a consistent recipient of several "Most Outstanding LGU" awards.

MAKATAPAK FESTIVAL

Makatapak Festival - the town annual Festival of Bacolor, Pampanga. Similar to its kind like Sinukwan Festival of Pampanga held in City of San Fernando; Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan; Sinulog Festival in Cebu; Babaylan Festival in Bogo City, Negros Occidental; Pintados Festival in Tacloban, Leyte; Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City; Higantes Festival in Agono, Rizal; Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City; Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon; Pattaradday Festival in Santiago City, Isabela; while Flores de Mayo known as the Queen of all festival in the Philippines. Eid El Fitir Muslim Festival in

Mindanao; while others are pertaining to animals like Carabao Festival in Pulilan, Bulacan, Frog Festival in City of San Fernando, Pampanga and among others. And food fest like Sisig Festival in Angeles City, Pampanga; Duman Festival in Sta. Rita, Pampanga and other food or cuisine festival in Philippine Islands. And things festival like Hot Air Balloon in Clarkfield, Pampanga; Aguman Sanduk Festival in Minalin, Pampanga and Giant Lantern Festival in City of San Fernando. Makatapak Festival is the Exodus of people of Bacolor back in a day when the town became a Lahar Country 1991 - 1995 caused by the devastated eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Wherein, the Aetas god named Apu Malyari was mad of what people they done wrong to the Mother Nature. It was difficult to walked in Lahar, sometimes like a quick sand. Unity and helping hands was the key in survival of Pinatubo's wrath. Rich, middle class and poor are hand in hand. There was a time they are together in one big roof. People walked barefooted while carrying their important stuffs to safer grounds like evacuation center, rented apartments or relatives houses in other cities, towns & provinces or even abroad. Other people wept...But now Villa de Bacolor is going forward. Rock out Balen Baculud. Makatapak Festival the best and one of a kind, lalacad quing dalan alang chinelas. Mabie Balen Baculud! Balen daring makata pong legwan. Balen daring biyasa ampong mangalagu. The Makatapak Festival Street Dancing is simple colorful and impressive to watch.

Kundiman- is the classic form of Filipino love songor so it seemed to colonialist forces in the Philippines. In fact, in Kundiman, the singer who expresses undying love for his beloved is actually singing for love of country. As an organization dedicated to providing a nurturing space for Asian American poets, we find in this name inspiration to create and support poetic expression.

Balitaw- is an extemporaneous exchange of love verses between a man and a woman. Danced and mimed, it is accompanied by a song, or the dancers themselves sing, improvising the steps and verses. It may last for hours, ending with the woman accepting or rejecting the man's suit. The balitaw is found mainly in the Tagalog and Visayan regions. The dancers may be costumed in balintawak or patadyong or in contemporary everyday clothes. Its accompaniments could be provided by the subing(bamboo flute), castanets, coconut guitar, harp, the five-stringed guitar, or a combination of the three. The Visayan balitaw is usually in the minor key, while the Tagalog is in the major. Both are related to the kumintang and kundiman in their styles of accenting.

An instrumental- is a musical composition or recording without lyrics, or singing, although it might include some nonarticulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musicalinstruments

Nationalistic songs-Also known as a National Anthem. It is a song that represents the ideals of any one nation. Each nation has it's own anthem. It is sung or chanted at special events and ceremonies as a way of reinforcing nationalistic pride,

The word "Harana", literally translated, means "to serenade." It is a Filipino folk tradition in which aspiring suitors attempt to woo a maiden by singing to her underneath her window