TACLOBAN CITY - In a local twist to the German beer-fiesta "Oktoberfest, residents of Eastern Visayas feted a local brew made from coconut sap in the 2nd installment of "Oktubafest."

The fiesta, led by An Waray partylist group, was also staged to set a world record for the largest wine-tasting event ever held.

In a Philippine Information Agency (PIA) report, representatives from An Waray said they expected about 7,000 participants to the Oktubafest.

Official tallies for participants at the event, which was held last October 17 to 18, were tagged at 7,187 people.

According to An Waray Rep. Florencio Noel, the current world record for the largest crowd to participate in a wine-tasting event is 5,100 people.

The record was set in Plaza de Toros, Aranda de Duero in Spain in 2006.

Tuba activities

The "Oktubafest" featured "tuba", a bittersweet wine made from the unopened coconut buds or coconut flowers.

Proceeds from the event will reportedly be given to victims of storms Ondoy and Pepeng, which hit areas of Northern and Central Luzon recently.

The PIA report added that the Oktubafest was expected to feature "the best tuba processors and food delicacies" like sumsuman, which are paired with tuba.

Last year's Oktubafest had featured contests like the Tuba and Barok Painting Contest, a photo essay and photography contest, and a Winaray Song writing contest.

There were also competitions like "Best Tuba-infused dish", "Best Tuba concoction" and the "Best Bahal (seasoned tuba)" and "Best Bahalina" awards.

"Why can't we be proud of something that we have a lot of supply so we can help the farmers?" Rep. Noel said.

Foreign taste

Foreigners and residents from various cities and municipalities in the region joined in the wine-tasting event last weekend.

German national Angelo Lettieri, who said it was his first time to taste "tuba," said the wine was "very good."

"It's not so sweet. It's very difficult (to swallow) but it's okay. For the first try, I like it," he said.

Even Don Filemon Juntereal Jr., the Chair of the International Wine and Food Society (Asia Pacific Zone), said the local wine blend was unique compared to its grape-based counterparts.

"The majority of the world's wine would be from grapes. So this is different in the sense that the material, the basic material, is the sap from the coconut stem rather than grapes," he said. Juntereal Jr. was there to witness the event and certify the wine's authenticity.

The "Oktubafest" aims to boost the region's local tuba and coconut industry. Eastern Visayas is among the country's top 3 leading producers of coconut and the country's leading copra producer.

This accounts for 60% of Region 8's industry. Philippine Coconut Authority regional director Edilberto Nierva added in a statement that 80% of the country's coconut produce is exported to other countries, with just 20% left behind for domestic consumption. Report by Jenette Fariola-Ruedas, ABS-CBN Tacloban.