“Tikman ang Sarap ng Laguna” is this year’s theme as Sta. Cruz, Laguna announces its 3^rd ANILAG Festival in the region. This festival started as a celebration of the region’s Foundation Day and a unique blend of local, cultural, historical and religious celebrations all rolled into one. This event aims to promote Laguna’s prime tourist attractions, celebrating the fruits of their land and creativity of its people, ANILAG, derived from ANI ng Laguna (Harvest of Laguna), was born.

“Through this festival, this is indeed one best way to showcase the many facets that we at Laguna have that truly makes it very unique. It is also our way of giving thanks to the Almighty God who has guided us Lagunenses in reaping the harvest that comes in a bountiful of diversities” cited Mr. Valentin Guidote Jr., ANILAG Festival Director and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator. 

ANILAG Festival is a week long celebration and competitions that showcase Laguna’s Festivals, trades, foods and its ingenious and talented Lagunenos.  Some of the competitions held are Trade fair competition, Float competition, Street Dance competition, and drum and lyre competition.  Not only that, they also held Ginoong Laguna, Little Miss Laguna, Little Ginoo and Binibining Laguna 2007.

ANILAG Festival started out with a colorful and entertaining Street Dancing parade that showcased Laguna town’s cultural heritage and festivals. Some of the regions that performed are the Bangkero Festival of Pagsanjan, Tsinelas Festival of Liliw, Banamos Festival of Los Banos, Burda Festival of Lumban, Itik Festival of Victoria, Pandan Festival of Luisiana, Coramblan Festival of Alaminos, Pineapple Festival of Calauan, Coconut Festival of San Pablo and Ana Kalang Festival of Nagcarlan.

Their performances brings joy and pride to Lagunenos. A colorful and awesome array of talents flooded the streets as they perform with the sound and beat of the drums and lyre. Truly, this showcase the creativity, talent and pride of being a Laguneno. Among the rest, one group stood out and capture the hearts of the judges.

Students from Alaminos Central won the competition. Comprising of 88 students, and with as little as two months practice, Mr. Levi Galarse (choreographer) and Mr. Arnel Pornela (band instructor) was able to gather these children to practice inspite of the children’s busy schedule in school. Combining music, drills and dance, Galarse and Pornela decided to use broadway musicales to show that they can be different than the rest and that their students have a lot to offer, and so they did. 

Booths and kiosks were built around and along side the kapitolyo and was participated by twenty seven 27 municipalities and three (3) cities in the region of Laguna . Some of them are Lumban (the art of Barong Painting), Liliw (Tsinelas “Slippers” making), Mabitac (Kawayan Jewelry), Cavinti (Sombrebo Making), San Pablo City (Kitchen Utensils), Paete (Choco Candy Carving), Victoria (Kinulob na itik, Majayjay (Atsara), Liliw (Uraro) and Binan (Puto). Visiting each booth will make you admire their craftsmanship, talent and hospitality. The booths will be judged two times, one in the afternoon and one in the evening because it should be visually pleasing both in the morning and at night. These booths also showcase their region’s products and presented scheduled demonstrations for visitors to have a peep into their flourishing industries. 

The event was highlighted when the region made an attempt to place another accomplishment in the Guinness book of records by producing and making the LONGEST ESPASOL in the world. With a length of 1 kilometer and 2.5” to 3” in diameter, the people of Sta. Cruz Laguna was able to taste and enjoy this wonderful delicacy. This was produced and prepared by ten (10) of the top espasol makers of the region. Perseverance, hardwork, cooperation and love of its people to their region made this event successful.

Message from Governor Teresita Lazaro

“ANILAG festival was formed to showcase Laguna’s finest cuisines and products. We would like to invite OFWs and tourists to visit us and get a taste of our region. See our Hand-made Barong in Lumban, Visit Paete, where Lagunenos are known best in carving wood and ice, enjoy the refreshing water in Pagsanjan Falls, unwind in Caliraya Lake and be captivated by the beauty of the Hidden Valley, relax in the Hot springs of Calamba, and visit the Rizal Shrine, the hometown of the Philippine’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Our region has so much to offer, so when you are in the Philippines, do visit us.”