Cavite coffee fest most likely to be in tourist map

AMADEO, Cavite – This historic upland town, considered as the No. 1 coffee producer in this province is expected to be in the tourist map with the launching of its unique coffee festival dubbed as “Pahimis 2002’’ on April 19-29.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been invited to be the guest of honor and speaker during the opening day of the festival.

She is expected to lead national and provincial officials along with Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi in the ceremonial toast of Cavite brew and in the unveiling of a national seal for coffee excellence of the Cavite coffee.

Local government officials here headed by Mayor Albert “OJ’’ Ambagan Jr. said that the festival is expected to be another tourism attraction after seeing recently the preparations and rehearsals conducted by participants in the 11-day festival that will officially start on Saturday.

“If Cebu is famous for its Sinulog Festival, Bacolod for its Masskara, Aklan for its Ati-Atihan, and Parañaque for its Sambalilo, we in Cavite, would like to be known gradually for our Pahimis whose highlights include a coffee float parade and mass competition in street dancing,’’ he said.

Ambagan said that the elderly and the youth of the 26 barangays of Amadeo are busy as bees in making floats for the parade; booths made of nipa, bamboo and other indigenous materials to be used in the trade fair; and in rehearsing their respective roles in street dancing.

According to him, the “bayanihan’’ spirit is very much alive and at work to ensure that the 11-day coffee festival will be a roaring success.

“Right now, the mood here is already festive as residents of the 26 barangays are busy in helping the municipal government for the festival preparation by providing the materials and manpower,’’ he said.

The 24-year-old bachelor mayor said that the Pahimis Festival, is a gesture of thanksgiving to God practised by the local townsfolk more than a century ago. It will feature a series of cultural presentations, sports competition and Miss Pahimis 2002 beauty contest.

The celebration will culminate on the town fiesta, the feast of Patron Saint May Magdalene, on April 29.

The festival will also feature coffee trade fair and exhibits, competition of houses with coffee decors, photography contests, essay writing, on-the-spot painting, jingles and slogan making, coffee rap singing and dancing exhibition.

More than a thousand balikbayans from the United States, Europe and other parts of the world are expected to arrive in the town this week in order to participate in the ballroom dancing and Rigodon de Honor sponsored by the Amadeo Women’s Club.

The festival aims to promote Cavite coffee for domestic and worldwide consumption revive farmers’ interest in coffee production enhance coffee yields and to increase its price in the world market.

Mayor Ambagan said that the idea to hold the coffee festival was inspired by Gov. Maliksi who had initiated several programs that would boost the morale of the coffee farmers.

“Through his efforts, Cavite’s coffee beans are now being processed, neatly packed and directly sold to the consumers in 50 gms. instead of selling them raw to manufacturers,’’ he added.

According to the mayor, this scheme is now succeeding and they are now in the process of selling Café Amadeo nationwide through some distributors who have expressed their intention to market them.