Coconut Festival – San Pablo City

San Pablo City, more popularly known as the City of Seven Lakes, is one of the 30 towns of Laguna Province. It lies 88 kilometers south  from Manila, travel time is approximately 2 hours by bus. But apart from its picturesque lakes, my hometown also has its vibrant annual feast called the Coconut Festival. The city hailed its festival from the coconut because it’s one of the main sources of livelihood of the locals. Copra making is a major industry in the city and coconut plantations are almost everywhere. Hence, San Pablo is a great place to have a taste of coconut delicacies such as buko pie, coconut jam and macapuno candies.

Every January 15th, San Pablo City celebrates its fiesta. And being a Filipino, the word fiesta means a big time celebration. It means endless eating, dancing and partying. Every night the streets in the plaza are closed and many tables and chairs are placed on the streets. Stages are built almost in every block where different bands perform. The locals drink and party up until dawn.  Moreover, days before the fiesta the locals and tourists from neighboring towns gather on the street for the much awaited street dancing competition also known as the Mardi Gras. Students from different schools compete and  groove into the streets on their beautiful and colorful costumes.

My friends and I at the plaza

My favorite! (pig's intestine)