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. Resear...