Rota Mayor Joseph S. Inos will inaugurate the festival “so we can bring back more passion to our Chamorro heritage and celebrate its unique diversity and similarities with other closely related cultures, customs and communities,” Quitugua said.
In the future, he added, Guam, Saipan and Tinian can also host the festival.
During the festival next month, the many uses of the coconut and how it is processed will be highlighted.
Quitugua said the festival will be an opportunity to showcase the many blessings offered by the coconut tree that people often take for granted.
“The coconut tree is life sustaining,” he added.
During the festival, he said Rota will demonstrate, “in a joyful and lively fashion, all the goodness that coconut trees are providing to the people.”
“The juice, in its many stages, offers…sweetness not easily matched by any fruit. The grated meat of the coconut can be used for a variety of cooking methods not to mention medicine, or, if rubbed, can be used also for sunburns,” he said.
Quitugua said they are expecting visitors from Guam, Chamorro clubs, cultural groups and students.
The festival, he added, will also include competition in arts and craft, cooking and coconut-inspired fun games.
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ resident director on Rota, Julita Calvo, said the competitions will include garment making and the presentation of coconut indigenous materials.
Calvo said the festival aims to promote Rota tourism and help revive the island’s economy.
