THE FIRST COCONUT FESTIVAL (MARDI GRAS) IN SAN PABLO CITY

The holding of the First Coconut Festival, Mardi Gras Style, on January 12, 1996, was actually conceived by Robert M. Non, an advocacy officer of the San Miguel Group of Companies based here in Laguna who suggested it to then Secretary to the Mayor Adolfo “Rudy” J. Vergara, and Project Development Officer Ruben E. Taningco, in June of 1995, while Mayor Vicente B. Amante and City Administrator Hizon A. Arago were on official travel to the United States. On his return, Mayor Amante approved the idea/proposal as a compliance to the provision of Republic Act No. 7356, an Act Creating the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and with the approval of the Sangguniang Panglunsod, then headed by Vice Mayor Danton Q. Bueser, an ad hoc committee chaired by City Administrator Hizon A. Arago, assisted by former Councilor Vergel Cosico and Businessman Arthur T. Reyes was organized to formulate the program of activities for the holding of street dancing contest. Research was conducted by the ad hoc committee as to the mechanic of the cultural presentation, the type of music that must be used, and the design of the costume of the participants which must be based on coconut tree.

Mayor Vicente B. Amante as City’s Chief Executive, and Atty. Hizon A. Arago as City Administrator who is mandated to coordinate the implementation of programs on history and culture, was assisted in launching the First Coconut Festival (Mardi Gras Style) by Messrs. Vergel Cosico, Arthur T. Reyes, Rolando A. Inciong and wife Sylvia, Pablito J. Merin, Celso “Seseng” Oblena, and Willy Tan and wife Racquel.

Physical Education Teachers Luz Ges. Aguilar and Meng Lajara also assisted in coordinating some of the activities. The undersigned (Ms. Melinda P. Bondad) headed the committee’s secretariat that prepared the reports submitted to the Office of the President, the Department of Tourism, and the National Historical Institute (NHI).

The first coconut festival was almost solely sponsored by the San Miguel Group of Companies, and Messrs. Robert M. Non and Mac C. Dormiendo sit in the committee to help formulate and implement programs, since they are in the advertising field.

Incidentally, the First Coconut Festival, Mardi Gras Style, held on January 12, 1996, was on time with the commemoration of the 400^th Anniversary or Fourth Centennial of the founding of the Parish of Saint Paul, The First Hermit, which was organized by the Augustinian Fathers in 1596.

This (first) festival was covered by Asahi Shimbun of Japan, and footages of the events was contributed to Reuter and other foreign managed news gathering syndicate through the facilities of ABS-CBN Channel 2, GMA Channel 7, and People’s Television (Channel 4) through the efforts of Messrs. Adolfo J. Vergara and Ruben E. Taningco. It was also featured in an special issue of the Philippines Free Press and special report for television was prepared by Film Documentarist Corie Quirino released in January 1996 with Messrs. Hizon A. Arago and Rolando S. Bombio providing the basic materials. (Compiled by Melinda P. Bondad)