Thursday, October 20, 2011

‘Bahalina’: Special promotion in the yearly Oktubafest

TACLOBAN CITY – The promotion of local tuba wine especially the “bahalina” is one of the best part of the yearly Oktubafest that is being sponsored by the An Waray party-list said Philippine Coconut Authority Assistant Regional Director Joel Pilapil.

PCA is one of the partners of the An Waray party-list in their yearly endeavor staging the Oktubafest, an activity that aims to promote tuba not just as wine but also as uses in other aspects such as cooking.

Tuba is one of the main products of the region that comes from coconut tree next to copra.

It is called a poor man’s wine because of its inexpensive distillation and more accessible for people to enjoy.

Although tuba is popular in the region, Pilapil said that other regions are not aware of our local wine which is why marketing and promotion is needed for the said coconut product.

In the fourth Oktubafest held Friday (Oct.14) 25 local government units have participated showcasing their tuba products.

The municipalities that joined the festival were Julita, La Paz, Dulag, Mayorga, Tanauan, Palo, Alangalang, Tunga, Carigara Barugo, Babatngon, Burauen,all from Leyte; Hinabangan, Villareal, Calbiga, Lawaan, Basey, Sta. Ritafro Samar province; Balangiga, Sulat, Guiuan and Oras in Eastern Samar and Limasawa(Southern Leyte).

Aside from LGUs, barangays from Tacloban had also participated coming from districts of San Jose, Sagkahan, Anibong Nula-tula, Marasbaras and Real and downtown areas.

Meanwhile, Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel of the An Waray party-list in his message at the opening of the 4th Oktubafest expressed his optimism that the bill, which he filed in Congress revitalizing the coconut industry, will be given immediate action after the President had put it as one of his priority legislative agenda.

The bill was already referred to the committee on agriculture and food and to government agencies such as the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance.

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