By Roel T. Amazona
TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) – Entry from the local government unit of Alang-alang, Leyte and EF Winery were adjudged as the 2015 Oktubafest for producing best tasting local wine known as tuba.
EF Winery also won the best local beverage for public tasting category during the Oktuba fest on Friday.
Dish prepared by the Eastern Visayas State University students –Sugba-Tula-Kilaw (grilled, soup-based dish and fresh raw fish or meat cured in vinegar) was adjudge as best tuba-infused dish and John Paul Caubaleso’s entry was adjudge as best tuba concoction.
Oktubafest is an annual event highlighting tuba, a traditional wine in Eastern Visayas sourced-out from coconut tree sap.
It aims to revitalize and enrich tuba industry by promoting it not just as wine but also as part of component of Eastern Visayas’ culinary and cultural heritage.
Although coconut industry in the region was severely affected by super typhoon Yolanda, staging of Oktubafest should not be set aside for this can help in promoting more other products from coconut tree.
“As traditional wine, tuba has been part of Eastern Visayas people’s lives and culture. We are happy that we are doing this,” said An Waray party list founding member Florencio Noel.
The party-list, spearheading this annual event started in 2008 to showcase the local wine, tuba and helping million residents of Eastern Visayas who depends on the beverage for living.
Noel vowed that An Waray will continue supporting the coconut industry of the region through Oktubafest, but he also encourages coconut farmer to do intercropping to support their main source of livelihood. (PNA)