The Province of Laguna headed by Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro, will be having its 3rd ANILAG or Ani ng Laguna Festival this coming March 5-11, 2007 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds in the capital town Sta. Cruz. Coinciding with Laguna’s Foundation Day every March 10, the festivity is now considered as the “mother of all festivals” throughout the province. Themed “Tikman Sarap ng Laguna,” the celebration is also expected to be warmly grace not only by Lagunenses but also tourists, local and foreign alike.

     Laguna’s own alluring assets will take center stage at the Anilag sa Laguna 2007 which will showcase the best of the province. This is organized by the Laguna Provincial Government as a means of showcasing the province as a center of growth, culture and ecotourism combined to local and foreign tourists and investors alike. Culinary presentations, alongside with trade exhibitions, cultural events, and all the pageantry with a Lagunense flavor will be a part of the week-long events where the public will have the opportunity to sense and enjoy what the different towns and municipalities have to offer. Following the success of last year’s Binibining Laguna and Ginoong Laguna, the two pageants will also be incorporated in this year’s line-up of events. Not to be outdone, mini fashion shows, zeroing in on Laguna products, will be staged and thus unveiling the hidden potentials of Laguna’s young design talents who themselves collectively posses a remarkable flair for texture, colour and creativity – and for the public to sense and appreciate their uniqueness in design.

     Activities in the 2007 weeklong ANILAG include a Thanksgiving Mass, formal opening of the ANILAG and trade exhibits, Food Festival, Amateur Singing Contest for Senior Citizens, Street Dancing, and fireworks display on Day 1 (March 5); Ginoong Laguna Pre-Pageant, Palarong Pinoy (elementary), mini-fashion show, Amateur Singing Contest (Elementary Division), Amazing Laguneños, Kinulob na Itik and Atsara Making presentations, Cultural Night, and Body Building Contest on Day 2 (March 6); Bb. Laguna Pageant, Palarong Pinoy (High School), Hand Painting presentation, mini-fashion show, Amateur Singing Contest (High School Division), Tsinelas presentation, Choco Candy Curving, Amazing Laguneños, Little Mr. Laguna 2007, and Dance Showdown on Day 3 (March 7); Drum & Lyre Competition, Palarong Pinoy (College/SK), Uraro Making presentation, Mini-Fashion Show, Amateur Singing Contest (Open Category), Sombrero presentation, Amazing Laguneños, Gawad Youth, and Little Miss Laguna on Day 4 (March 8); Mass Calisthenics, Palarong Pinoy, Kawayan Jewelry presentation, Mini-Fashion Shows, Longest Espasol, Kitchen Utensils and Puto-Biñan presentations, Amazing Laguneños, Gawad Sining, and Governor’s Night on Day 5 (March 9); 11-Km Fun Run, Float Parade, Bird Show Competition, Laguna Star Quest, and G. Laguna 2007 on Day 6 (March 10); and Thanksgiving Mass and Dance, Dog Show Competition, Bb. Laguna 2007, and fireworks display at night on Day 7 (March 11). # (CHRIS SANJI)