An Waray stages 3rd Oktubafest on October 23

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 17, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY – As part of its continuing efforts to promote the coconut industry in Eastern Visayas, the An Waray Party List is set to hold the 3rd Oktubafest on December 23 at the Leyte Park Convention Center along Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City.

Mitchelle Basal, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Oktubafest, informed that the Oktubafest is a food, drink and music festival showcasing the local tuba wine.

The annual event aims to promote the Region’s cultural heritage as well as highlight the local tuba industry.

The Oktubafest will kick-off with the Opening Program at 8:30 in the morning.

The Tuba Techno Marketing Seminar, a seminar on different technologies and marketing skills under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Coconut Authority will start at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. The target participants are tuba producers from various municipalities in the Region.

The opening of the Tuba Trade Exhibit Booths of the Tuba producers and representatives of different Local Government Units, will open at 9:00 o’clock in the morning.

One of the highlights of the 3rd Oktubafest is the Tuba Photo Essay Contest, an exhibit of different photo essays that feature tuba and the cultural milieu of Eastern Visayas. This is open to all interested participants.

Another highlight is the On the Spot “Kawit” Art Contest, a painting contest highlighting the lakug or kawit, which is an indispensable tool for tuba gathering. This is also open to all interested participants.

What is Oktubafest without the Wine Tasting Contest? This year, the guests of the festival will help in choosing the best Bahal and Bahalina through a wine tasting festival. The guests will be given the chance to sample the different varieties of tuba from the different municipalities.

A cooking contest wherein the Best Tuba-Infused Dish and Kotil will be chosen will be opened to LGU contestants with ages 16 to 25 years old.

A Kuracha Dance Contest will be conducted at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon while at 7:00 o’clock in the evening, a Winaray musical variety show and a Waray Group Singing Contest will be conducted. The Winaray Group Singing Contest features a choreographed group singing highlighting the best Waray folk music.