The Generalitat awards Gustavo Pascual, father of 'Paquito el Chocolatero', on October 9th

The Consell announced this Tuesday the awardees for October 9th, the Day of the Community. These awards once again include representation from Alicante among the honorees, highlighting the recognition of the creator of the world's most famous pasodoble, who will receive his award posthumously.

'Paquito el Chocolatero', a composition from 86 years ago that has been one of the most performed songs in Spain for several years. Gustavo Pascual, from Cocentaina, was responsible for bringing this score to life, although it wasn't until 2004 that his family managed to have him recognized as the author.

Pascual, who died at the young age of 36, will be recognized on October 9th with the Cultural Merit Distinction for his well-known pasodoble, which has played at all festivals throughout Spain since its creation and is essential in the celebrations of Moors and Christians.

Born in 1909, he developed his musical talent from a young age as part of the municipal band, where he later became a clarinet soloist and director of the 'La Paloma' Pulse and Plectrum Orchestra. It was in 1937 when he brought to life the pasodoble, whose original score is displayed in the Musical Archive of Cocentaina's 'Casa del Fester'.

In this way Carlos Mazón fulfills his campaign promise in El Comtat, when he assured that if victorious in the elections, he would recognize the Alicante composer in the October 9th awards.

'He will not be the only Alicante native to receive an award from the Generalitat on Community Day. The renowned pastry chef Paco Torreblanca, born in Villena, will receive the title of Ambassador of the Valencian Community on this special day.'

Considered one of the best pastry chefs in the world, he has numerous distinctions. He founded his workshop in Elda in 1979 and has since traveled much of the world. Some of the most well-known professionals in the sector have passed through there.

His list of awards includes Best Pastry Chef in Spain, Europe, and Worldwide, with the latter in 2022, and Honorary Master Pastry Chef Award by Basque Culinary Center. Since 2013 Paco Torreblanca has directed with his son the International School of High Pastry located in Petrer, which received in 2022 the Award for Training, Research and Tourism Innovation from Valencian Community.

The Olympic medalists will also receive a medal for Sports Merit, recognizing six athletes including Alicante-born footballer Christian Mosquera, a player for Valencia. Mosquera won a gold medal in football competition in Paris.

'Among other awardees are historian María Desamparados Cabanes Pecourt who received High Distinction from Generalitat for her research on Valencian culture and language and her significant work as a member of Bilingualism Mixed Commission responsible for overseeing Valencian incorporation into educational system and as counselor to pre-autonomous Government. She also receives Grand Cross Order Jaume I Conqueror.'

The Generalitat's Distinction was awarded to fire extinction services, emergencies, security and civil protection that participated in extinguishing Campanar neighborhood fire in Valencia attending victims especially Julian Garcia Anton building concierge.

The Literature Award from Generalitat went to novelist Ferran Torrent i Llorca; Joan Lluís Vives Distinction from Generalitat for Valencian contribution towards European construction was awarded to former MEP José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil.

The Cultural Merit Distinction was awarded to National Prado Museum director Miguel Falomir Faus and film producer Maria Zamora Morcillo; Raíces del Reino de Valencia Association. Scientific Merit was awarded to Earth Sciences researcher Luis Guanter Palomar.

The Business and Social Merit Award went to Honiba S.A., a company that manufactures and sells musical instruments; CaixaLaVall or Caixa Rural La Vall de San Isidro celebrating its 120th anniversary. The Distinction for actions towards equality and inclusive society was awarded to Afanias association from Castellón families with intellectually disabled people and Federation Large Families Valencian Community.