Cocolunay Festival 2026 highlights Kalamay

By Jay B. Laurino Kalamay, a beloved local delicacy made from coconut milk, rice, and sugar. (Lynn Ricafranca‎) MULANAY, Quezon — From ...

By Jay B. Laurino

Kalamay, a beloved local delicacy made from coconut milk, rice, and sugar. (Lynn Ricafranca‎)

MULANAY, Quezon — From kitchens to public streets, kalamay anchors the Cocolunay Festival 2026 as the Municipality of Mulanay celebrates food heritage and community tradition. Local households and town festivities continue to feature kalamay for its smooth texture and distinctive coconut flavor, reflecting the municipality’s agricultural roots and strong sense of community.

The Cocolunay Festival traces its roots to Mulanay’s long-standing coconut-based economy and its tradition of thanksgiving for agricultural abundance. Over the years, the celebration has also become closely associated with expressions of faith and community gratitude, blending harvest thanksgiving with cultural pride in a way that reflects everyday life in the town.



Generations of Mulanay residents have treated kalamay not only as a popular dessert but also as a symbol of hospitality and togetherness within the town’s cultural life. Families prepare the delicacy using coconut milk, rice, and sugar—ingredients closely tied to local farming—and commonly share it during fiestas, family gatherings, and milestone celebrations, making kalamay a natural focal point for a festival grounded in identity and tradition.

The festival highlights this cultural importance through Pista ng Kalamay: Isang Kalsada, Isang Bayan, a featured activity that transforms a section of Libertad Street into a communal space for sharing food and fellowship. The activity encourages residents and visitors to partake in the delicacy together and elevates kalamay from a simple treat into a unifying symbol that connects barangays and generations.




Beyond culinary traditions, the Cocolunay Festival continues to evolve as a celebration that focuses on community participation, with the local government placing greater emphasis on community participation rather than relying only on stage-based performances. The program design prioritizes everyday traditions, public interaction, and grassroots involvement to ensure residents experience the celebration as accessible, inclusive, and meaningful.

The municipality opens the festival on January 26 with the launch of the Cocolunay Festival and agri-tourism booths featuring local farm products and coconut-based goods, showcasing local products, livelihood initiatives, and small enterprises rooted in coconut-based industries. These booths build on a long-standing tradition of barangay participation, where communities highlight coconut-based designs, local produce, and sustainability-focused displays that reflect both creativity and agricultural pride.

“Ang Cocolunay Festival ay hindi lamang selebrasyon kundi pagkilala sa ating pagkakakilanlan bilang isang bayang nakaugat sa niyog at sa sama-samang pagkilos ng komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng kalamay sa sentro ng pagdiriwang, binibigyang-halaga natin ang ating mga magsasaka, maliliit na negosyante, at mga tradisyong bumubuo sa ating bayan. Layunin ng festival na mapalakas ang pagkakaisa, mapalago ang kabuhayan, at maipasa ang ating kultura sa susunod na henerasyon,” said Mayor Aris L. Aguirre.

The mayor also emphasized the local government’s goal of turning residents into active participants rather than passive spectators throughout the celebration. He said each activity reflects shared ownership of culture and community life.

“Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay para sa buong komunidad at hindi lamang para sa entablado o paligsahan. Nais naming maramdaman ng bawat Mulanayin na sila ay bahagi ng pista at may papel sa pagpapanatili ng ating kultura. Sa sama-samang pakikilahok, mas nagiging makabuluhan ang selebrasyon at mas tumitibay ang ating pagkakaisa,” Aguirre added.

The festival also highlights creative expression through the Cocokulay Painting Contest and Cococraft Handcrafted Art Contest, which give local artists and artisans opportunities to present their work to a wider audience. Arko-Cocolunay further enhances this creative focus by transforming major streets into visual landmarks using decorative installations inspired by coconut materials and indigenous design elements.

Longtime festival features such as kalamay cooking competitions and cultural showcases continue to draw interest, serving as platforms for skill, tradition, and friendly competition among participants. These activities reinforce the festival’s role in preserving culinary practices while encouraging innovation rooted in local heritage.

The celebration integrates environmental responsibility through a scheduled tree planting activity that underscores the importance of protecting natural resources that support agriculture, livelihoods, and future generations. This component reflects the municipality’s effort to align cultural celebration with environmental stewardship.

Festival-related competitions proceed with the G. at Bb. Cocolunay preliminary activities, including interviews and presentations that emphasize cultural awareness, confidence, and community representation. These activities culminate in the coronation night on February 2, highlighting values that extend beyond pageantry and competition.

The festival reaches its peak on February 4 as participating barangays take part in the grand parade, street dancing competition, and festival queen presentation, offering a collective display of music, movement, and local pride. Community gatherings continue through Baylehang Bayan and conclude with leisure-oriented activities, including a foam party at Mulanay Bayview Park, designed to engage younger participants and visiting guests.

Under the leadership of Mayor Aguirre and Vice Mayor Jay E. Castilleja, the Municipal Government of Mulanay guides the Cocolunay Festival 2026 in celebrating local cuisine, shared traditions, and community participation, with kalamay standing not only as a cherished delicacy but also as a lasting symbol of unity, heritage, and communal identity.