LAGAYLAY FESTIVAL
By: Nixy Relucio, Nicole Mendoza, Missy Payumo &
Chiara Alcazar of IA - GROUP 4
Devotion to the Holy Cross
consisting of a series of prayers
written in verses
Celebration in honor of a
tradition where women dance
on the streets while chanting
prayers to find the real cross
HISTORY
Started in 1858
Originated from a pre-Hispanic
ritual called Halea
Halea - a song and dance
ceremony performed for the
moon
PURPOSE
Reenactment of the discovery
of the Holy Cross by St. Helena
Participated by lovely maidens
with sweet melodious voices
HISTORY
The annual performance of
Lagaylay began in 1963
when
Guillerma
Arlante
became Hermana Mayor of
the Cofradia de Hermanidad
HISTORY
From 1952–1962, Lagaylay
could not be shown for some
reasons
 During that time they still had
the novena’s and the dotok
HISTORY
On May 11, 1962 the last day
of the novena, Mrs. Guillerma
Arlante recalled an incident
that happened to them while
she and several companions
were praying at the patio
HISTORY
They
saw
the
Cross
swaying
(Nag-giay-giay) as
she described it
 They interpreted this incident
as a sigh to them that the
Lagaylay be revived
HISTORY
The following year 1963, when
Mrs.
Guillerma
Arlante
became
the
Hermana
Mayora, she revived the
Lagaylay
Since then time on Lagaylay
was always celebrated every
year
PURPOSE
To the faithful of Canaman,
Lagaylay is a manifestation of
their strong faith and great
love of God worthy of
perpetuation,
it
is
a
community prayer which binds
people together
MUSIC
Maestro Gaspar Advincula
was the earliest known trainor
of the Lagaylay assisted by
Maestro Antero Gomez and
Maestro Sabas Chica
This original Lagaylay had
more emphasis on the lyrics of
the song than on the
expression of the movements
MUSIC
It was followed by another set
of trainors like Maestro Hugo
Gomez who made some
revisions in the lyrics, and
musical arrangements were
composed by Maestro Juan
Nuñez
 By this time the interpretation
was more on body language
MUSIC
New trainors came up like Mr.
Geronimo Nuñez, Mr. Ignacio
Alano
and
Mr.
Melecio
Porcioncula
 They were succeeded by Mr.
Carlos Salcedo Sr. who did
much in the improvement of
the old Lagaylay adjusting it to
the present trends and mood
of life
MUSIC
Adaptations and some modifications
were made adding more grade to
the dances and giving more meaning
and expressions to the lyrics of the
verses
Hence, this present Lagaylay which
has evolved from simplicity to a
refinement and beauty in its religiosity
STATUS IN PRESENT TIME
Performed for nine nights with
a novena to the Holy Cross
Starts on the third day of May,
which is believed to be the
day of the finding of the Holy
Cross
Ends on the eleventh
STATUS IN PRESENT TIME
Currently, Aurora Lara, Letty
Chavez, Carlos Salcedo Jr.
and Noel Salcedo maintain
the tradition
SOURCES
 http://www.1stphilippines.com/pp45034983ad9364b1820597b610dca52b.html
 http://newfrontierscompsoln.com/~canamanp/i
ndex.php?option=com_content&view=article&id
=11&Itemid=154
 http://newfrontierscompsoln.com/~canamanp/i
ndex.php?option=com_content&view=article&id
=33&Itemid=137