Coconut Festival

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The Coconut Festival is a week-long celebration in San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines, in honor of their patron Saint Paul the Hermit. It is held every first to second week of January. It is a celebration started in 1996. The festival consists of Street dancing, float parade, street concerts, nightly programs before the city fiesta and some other important events like the yearly "Mutya at Lakan ng San Pablo".

Contents

San Pablo City's Coconut Festival also known as Coco Fest gives more colors to the city fiesta which is held every 15 January. It attracts people nearby towns and foreigners as well as local and national media. This boosts the culture and traditions of San Pablenos. The festival also earned citation from the Association of tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the best tourism Event for Festival Category City Level for Calendar Year 2010-2011-2012-2013 (PIA) which placed San Pablo City, a tourist destination.

The city's "Coconut Festival" garnered 2013's "Pearl Award" as Hall of Famer during the 14th National Convention of the Department of Tourism (DOT)–Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) held in Legazpi City, Albay. [1]

Street Dancing

The Coconut Festival Street Dancing is a competition among schools within San Pablo City. The competition is divided in three divisions: Elementary, Secondary and the College Divisions. During the early festivals, costumes were 90% made from coconut trees. But later on, it was decided that costumes may not be much from coconut. Also, music used in the early festivals is different. It is more on a tribal beat. Some of the used music/songs in the street dancing were: "Follow the Leader" in 1998; "Da Coconut Nut" in 2000-2002 and some remix songs on 2003–2008. But in 2009 and until now, San Pablo City Coconut Festival street dancing is using "Mabuhay ang San Pablo" (Long live the city) song and its remix versions.

Street Dancing Winners

Street Dancing Results
20241st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelFule Almeda DistrictDapdapan DistrictLakeside District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City Integrated High SchoolCol. Lauro Dizon Memorial Integrated High SchoolSan Jose Integrated High School
College Level
20201st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictSanto Angel DistrictDel Remedio District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City Integrated High SchoolPrudencia D. Fule Memorial National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
20171st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelDapdapan DistrictLakeside DistrictSanto Angel District
Secondary Level Santisimo Rosario National High School San Isidro National High SchoolSan Jose National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
20161st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictSto. Angel DistrictDel Remedio District
Secondary LevelSan Bartolome National High SchoolSan Vicente National High SchoolPrudencia Fule Memorial National High School
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo Laguna College
20151st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDapdapan DistrictDel Remedio District
Secondary Level Santisimo Rosario National High School Col. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High SchoolSan Jose National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
20141st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDapdapan District Canossa College
Secondary LevelSan Vicente National High School 3San Pablo City National High SchoolPrudencia Fule Memorial National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo Laguna State Polytechnic University San Pablo Colleges
2013 21st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictSto. Angel DistrictAmbray District
Secondary LevelCol. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High SchoolDel Remedio National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San PabloNot ApplicableNot Applicable
20121st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelDapdapan DistrictSan Francisco DistrictFule Almeda District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City National High SchoolSan Bartolome National High SchoolSan Jose National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San PabloSan Pablo Colleges Laguna State Polytechnic University
20111st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDapdapan DistrictSan Francisco District
Secondary Level Laguna College 1Col. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High School St. Joseph School
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University San Pablo CollegesDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
20101st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictCanossa CollegeSto. Angel District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City National High School St. Joseph School Canossa College
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University San Pablo CollegesDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
20091st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLiceo De San PabloLakeside DistrictSan Francisco District
Secondary LevelCol. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High SchoolLiceo De San Pablo
20081st2nd3rd
College LevelSan Pablo Colleges Laguna State Polytechnic University Canossa College
20071st2nd3rd
College LevelCanossa College Laguna State Polytechnic University
Secondary LevelSan Isidro National High SchoolCol. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High School
Elementary LevelAmbray District
20061st2nd3rd
College LevelCanossa College Laguna State Polytechnic University
20011st2nd3rd
Secondary LevelCanossa CollegeLiceo De San Pablo
20001st2nd3rd
Secondary LevelLaguna CollegeCanossa CollegeSan Pablo Colleges
19991st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside District
19981st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside District
Secondary LevelCanossa College Laguna College Col. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High School
19971st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictAmbray District
Secondary LevelCC Technical InstituteCanossa CollegeCol. Lauro D. Dizon Memorial National High School
19961st2nd3rd
Elementary LevelSt. Joseph School
Secondary LevelCanossa College Laguna College
College LevelSPC National School of Arts and Trades Laguna College

- In 2024, there is no College/University Division.

1 - Representative to the 1st La Laguna Festival Street Dancing Competition. Laguna is the province where San Pablo City belongs.
2 - Only one delegation participated in the College/University Division
3 - Invited to perform at the SMX Travel Tour Expo to be held on 14 to 16 February 2014.

Street Dancing Special Awards

Awards
2024Best in CostumeBest ChoreographyLiveliest Group
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictFule Almeda DistrictLakeside District
Secondary LevelFelix Amante Senior High SchoolSan Pablo City Integrated High SchoolSan Pablo City Integrated High School
College Level
2020Best in CostumeBest ChoreographyLiveliest Group
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictLakeside DistrictLakeside District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City Integrated High SchoolSan Pablo City Integrated High SchoolSan Pablo City Integrated High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo Laguna State Polytechnic University Laguna State Polytechnic University
2017Best in CostumeBest ChoreographyLiveliest Group
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDapdapan DistrictSanto Angel District
Secondary Level Santisimo Rosario National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School
College LevelDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San PabloDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San PabloDalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
2016Best in CostumeBest ChoreographyLiveliest Group
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDel Remedio DistrictDel Remedio District
Secondary LevelPrudencia Fule Memorial National High SchoolSan Bartolome National High SchoolSan Bartolome National High School
College LevelLaguna CollegeDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San PabloDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
2015Best in CostumeBest ChoreographyLiveliest Group
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictDapdapan DistrictDapdapan District
Secondary LevelCol. Lauro E. Dizon National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School Santisimo Rosario National High School
College LevelDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San PabloDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San PabloDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
2014Best in CostumeBest Choreography
Elementary LevelCanossa CollegeDapdapan District
Secondary LevelSan Vicente National High SchoolSan Pablo City National High School
College LevelDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San PabloDalubhasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo
2013Best in CostumeBest Choreography
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictSto. Angel District
Secondary LevelCol. Lauro E. Dizon National High SchoolDel Remedio National High School
College LevelNot AwardedNot Awarded
2012Best in CostumeBest Choreography
Elementary LevelDapdapan DistrictDapdapan District
Secondary LevelLaguna CollegeSan Pablo City National High School
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
2011Best in CostumeBest Choreography
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictLakeside District
Secondary Level Laguna College Laguna College
College Level Laguna State Polytechnic University Laguna State Polytechnic University
2010Best in CostumeBest Choreography
Elementary LevelLakeside DistrictLakeside District
Secondary LevelSan Pablo City National High SchoolSan Pablo City National High School
College LevelSan Pablo Colleges Laguna State Polytechnic University

- In 2013 and 2017, only one delegate participated in the College/University Division. - In 2024, there is no College/University Division.

Binibining San Pablo

Placements
2024
Binibining San Pablo 2024IV-A — Louise Emma Charlotte Dolk
1st Runner-UpSan Gabriel — Florianne Jerick Lajara
2nd Runner-UpSan Gregorio — Tara Izzy Austria
Major Awards
2024
Best in TalentFlorainne Jerick Lajara
Miss PhotogenicFlorainne Jerick Lajara
Best in Long GownFlorainne Jerick Lajara
Special Awards
2024
PLDT AwardLouise Emma Charlotte Dolk
Golden State College Choice AwardLouise Emma Charlotte Dolk
Miss Pretty LashesFlorainne Jerick Lajara
Face of Joan Voyage Travel and ToursMaria Elisha Manicad
Beckcare AwardGwyneth Albite

Float Parade

The street dancing competition is preceded by the float parade. It was first held in 1996. It is also a competition open to local and private sectors including schools and organizations. During the 90's, Coconut Festival float parade was held a day before the street dancing competition. It was a separate event but due to the growing number of events and programs during the long-week festival, organizers joint the float parade and the street dancing competition in a one big spectacular day usually held on 13 January.

Float Winners
Date1st2nd3rd
2016SM City - San PabloScuola dei Bambini di Sta. TeresitaAcademia de San Ignacio de Loyola
2015SM City - San PabloSouth Lakes Integrated School
2014SM City - San PabloHoly Dream Kiddie Learning CenterAcademia de San Ignacio de Loyola
2013Scuola dei Bambini di Sta. TeresitaSM City - San Pablo Laguna State Polytechnic University
2012SM City - San PabloScuola dei Bambini di Sta. TeresitaRamirez Kiddie Learning Center
2011Scuola dei Bambini di Sta. Teresita

Coco Art Festival

diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author's imaginative or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.

Coco Carnival Queen

The Coco Carnival Queen during the Coco Fest also takes the limelight of the festival. The event showcases the creativity of San Pablo by making festive gowns and costumes purely made from the coconut tree. In the early Coco Festivals, this was not a competition. And as time lapses, costumes for the Coco Carnival Queen become bigger, bolder and impressive.

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References

  1. "San Pablo City stages tourism hall of famer '19th Coconut Festival'". 8 January 2014.