Best coco wine featured in Tacloban’s 'Oktubafest'

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 23  -- The showcase of best local wine dubbed as "Oktubafest” will again take center stage in this city next week.

The festival, the local version of the German beer fiesta known as the Octoberfest, will be held at the Eastern Visayas State University Auditorium in this city on October 28.

An Waray Partylist Representative Victoria Noel said in an interview Monday the event is the biggest gathering of tuba producers in the region.

“This is synonymous to gaiety and merrymaking and has always been the center of every local festivity, both of the humble and of the grandiose in form,” Noel said.

An Waray Partylist-led Oktubafest aims to promote the cultural heritage and the tuba industry of Leyte and Samar provinces.

This year’s competition is categorized into three -- the local government unit category best bahal (old) and bahalina (aged), best kutil (special wine mixture), and best tuba-infused dish cooking.

For the open category, there is an on-the-spot kawit painting limited slot, monochromatic tuba painting contest and Oktuba photo contest.

Kawit is made of bamboo pole that is used by tuba harvesters. It is attached on the shoulders by a wooden hook and serves as a container of the freshly harvested juice.

Now on its 9th year, Noel vowed to continue the festival to show support to the coconut industry, which is the main source of livelihood in the region.

Tuba wine is an alcoholic beverage generated from the sap of coconut palms. In Leyte, the wine is matured for up to one to two years. (LAAA/PNA)