San Fernando Pampanga is the only city in the Philippines that celebrates this festival. The reason behind it? The city went thru difficult times during the Pinatubo eruption and was devastated with the lahar flow, but still, the frogs were able to survive the tragedy, and so did the Fernandinos (the people of San Fernando, pampanga). The frogs symbolizes them as a people, able to survive any circumstances, able to remain strong.

The first Kokak Tugak Festival was celebrated in 2003 organized by the city tourism office and other private sectors. This festival was neither created nor intended for tourists to come to their place, but for the kapampangans to have a sense of pride among themselves. The festival has a cultural value as a person and not for marketing or promotions purposes, but still, it will be an added bonus for them if tourists will come to see their city because of the festival.

Originally, the festival had an official mascot named Kokak Tugak, but this year, they decided to give the festival a little twist by letting six public and private high schools in the city participate in a frog mascot competition. The winner of this competition will serve as the official mascot of the festival. The crown was awarded to Lara Integrated High School.

Together with this, a Jingle making competition was also held during the festival. There were three finalists for this event but only one went home as a winner. Mr. Irwin Nucum was able to get the title with his song Oryana Deng Tugak (Here Comes the Frog). His composition will serve as the official jingle of the festival.

Still, the tourism office retained the other traditional activities of the festival that caters to children and adults alike. Some of the activities of the festival are the paduasan (frog catching competition), papialong tugak (frog games), culinary competition, frog race and frog’s longest jump.

Every year they try to add new twists to the festival. The festival is starting to gain its popularity among the local and international media alike.

Tourist attractions are seasonal in the city: during holy week, they have the crucifixion rites; and on December, they celebrate the Giant Lantern Festival. Still, when you plan to visit San Fernando, Pampanga, they still have lots to offer. Right now, the city is trying to develop their heritage district for a heritage tour, where the visitors will be able to see old houses, along the city hall and the church.

Also, you can check out  the city’s local delicacies like suman (rice cakes) and other traditional culinary cuisines that the city of San Fernando has to offer. You can also visit the San Fernando train station, where the death march ended.

Fernandinos are trying to preserve their individuality, culture and traditions by incorporating into the local curriculum the study of Kapampangan’s history and culture in schools, shopping malls plays kapampangan music, schools include kapampangan cultural programs and children are encouraged to participate in educational tours. Printed materials, symposiums and lectures for parents and teachers are implemented as well.

The reason: “We always look forward in seeing other countries but we never recognize our own” – Ching Pangilinan.