MERRYMAKING PAUSE The Quezon provincial capitol compound in Lucena City is near empty, a scene unimaginable in previous years when the government center hosted agricultural and trade fairs and other events during the Niyogyugan Festival. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.
LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines — Officials of Quezon province have turned online to celebrate the Niyogyugan Festival this week with mass gatherings and public events prohibited as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic.
Alberto Bay Jr., provincial tourism officer, said the staging of the annual festival was canceled by the provincial government to follow safety protocols being imposed by the national task force overseeing efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).The festival, first held in 2012, gives tribute to the coconut, also known as the “tree of life” and the leading agricultural product of Quezon. Niyogyugan was coined from “niyog” (coconut) and “yugyog” (move to a fast beat). Online trade fair, contests
“But we’ll have online trade fair, webinars, contests, online “tagayan” ritual among many other events on social media to still celebrate the festival,” Bay said.The tagayan rite is a way of welcoming guests in Quezon, with participants drinking “lambanog” (coconut gin) amid the crowd’s singing and teasing.Bay said the festival this year would feature an agrimart online store to promote locally produced coconut-based products. A video presentation of Quezon’s top 10 products and tourist destinations is among festival events, which can be accessed through the Quezon Public Information Office Facebook page.
Eriberto Ricardo Dedace, Sariaya town tourist guide, considered the pandemic a temporary setback.
“We still have to continue promoting local tourism so that it will remain in the consciousness of local and international tourists,” he said.The event was also canceled in 2014 after Typhoon “Glenda” devastated coconut farms in the province.The commemoration of the birth of former President Manuel L. Quezon, however, will push through at Perez Park here on Wednesday, but with a limited number of guests, Bay said.
—Delfin T. Mallari Jr.