In 2026, the talent of San Pableños will reign supreme.
That was the declaration of local officials as they officially unveiled the full lineup of activities for the much-anticipated annual Coconut Festival in this city.
At a press conference last December 18, city officials led by Mayor Najie Gapangada emphasized that the 2026 celebration of the Coconut Festival, slated for January 12 to 15, will highlight not only on the city’s long-standing traditional industry of coconut raising but also on the city’s rising local talents.
“Ang Bagong Coco Festival ay lalago bilang isang kilusang pangkultura at pansining na sasaklaw sa buong lungsod. Ang musika, sayaw, pageantry, at iba’t ibang anyo ng pagtatanghal ang magiging sentro—alinsunod sa aking mithiin na hubugin ang San Pablo bilang Cultural at Performing Arts Capital ng Laguna, habang nananatiling matatag sa relihiyoso, kultural, at pangkomunidad na pagpapahalaga,” Gapangada said during the press conference.
The 2026 Coconut Festival, officials added, will be split into two stages: the first to be held on January, and the second along with the celebration of San Pablo City’s Charter Day on May 7.
Among the lineup of activities slated for the 2026 Coconut Festival include the San Pablo Unang Ermitanyo Choral Competition; the “Hataw Sanpy” dance competition; “The Voice San Pablo” singing competition; the “Rotarock XXX.2” competition organized by the Rotary Club of San Pablo City Central; and the Mr. and Ms. San Pablo Star 2026.
Aside from these, special “festival zones” will be put in place along Rizal Avenue and Regidor Street, while “Kahit Sino Pwede” open mic mini stages will also be set up to enable ordinary San Pableños to display their own talents.
Amid criticism from some sectors that the new lineup of activities for the Coconut Festival after some activities – including the Street Dance Competition and Beer Festival – were removed from the roster, World Championships of Performing Arts Philippines Director Gerry Mercado stressed that the new festival offers more than simply entertainment.
“Isa itong kilusan na may pangmatagalang epekto—pinatitibay ang kultural na pagkakakilanlan, isinusulong ang mabuting pagpapahalaga, pinalalakas ang kabataan, hinihikayat ang partisipasyon ng pamilya, sinusuportahan ang mga lokal na artista at negosyante, at pinalalakas ang turismo—lahat ay isinasagawa nang may paggalang, pagpapahalaga, at lalim ng kultura,” Mercado said during the conference.
On the other hand, An Mercado Alcantara, Tourism Officer for Special Projects, said the new lineup of the San Pablo Coconut Festival is part of a wider push to adopt culture-based tourism in San Pablo City, a trend that has proven successful in other areas in Laguna province.
“Sa pinagtibay na bisyon at komprehensibong programa, ang San Pablo Coco Festival of Performing Arts 2026 ay tanda ng isang bagong panahon para sa lungsod—kung saan nagsasanib ang pananampalataya, pagkamalikhain, at komunidad na may malinaw na layunin, hinango ang inspirasyon mula sa Pitong Lawa at sa matibay na diwa ng San Pableño,” she added.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #20256CoconutFestival