Although born in Madrid, Javier García García has always been linked to the city of Calatayud since he was a newborn, and, as could be expected, following in the footsteps of his mother, a member of the Peña La Unión social club in the 1960s, he is very involved in the San Roque festivities.
It was in the summer of 1975, with his family already settled in Calatayud, that he first participated in the San Roque festivities with the Peña El Desbarajuste social club, a club he would remain with until he was 13. In 1981, he joined his first adult social club and received his first badge from the Peña Rouna club.
But it wasn't until 1986 that his dedication and passion for the San Roque festivities truly came to fruition. That summer, once the festivities were over, and motivated by the desire to participate in and improve the celebrations from a different perspective than the existing peñas (social clubs), which at that time were large and complex, they decided to found a new peña, one that had existed at another point in history, and in which they could carry out all the activities that aligned with their way of thinking and their vision of the San Roque festivities. This is how Peña Nogara was founded.
The board of directors was formed, and he was appointed Vice President, a position that would last two years, until the founding board was renewed. During that first year, all their efforts were focused on getting Interpeñas to approve the registration of the two new San Roque peñas, as well as getting the new peña up and running. Years of hard work, recruiting new members, and giving a different twist to what the peñas had been until then.
1. The board of directors was formed, and he was appointed Vice President, a position he would hold for two years, until the founding board was renewed. With the renewal of the founding board, he rejoined the new board, this time as Treasurer, a position he held for only one year. For various reasons, at the end of that San Roque festival, he resigned and left Peña Nogara, three years after its founding.
It was during the 1989 San Roque festival that he first joined Peña Garnacha, motivated by the large number of friends he knew from his time with the Claret 153 Scout Group, as well as his own friends who were founders of the club from the beginning. From that moment on, he worked not only for his club but also for the San Roque festivities, always willing to help in any way he could. As a result of this work, in 2006 he received the Supergarnacho award for his contributions since joining Peña Garnacha. 3
2
He has served on various boards of directors of Peña Garnacha, holding different positions:
From 2000 to 2002, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, with Agustín Nuevo Alarcón as president.
From 2003 to 2004, he served as president of the board of directors. During his term, he and the president of Peña Nogara, Ernesto Alba, managed to secure permanent locations for both clubs. To this day, both Peña Nogara and Peña Garnacha maintain these locations, which until then had required them to rotate or find alternative spaces, while other clubs had permanent spaces, either municipal or private.
From 2017 to 2018, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, with Oscar del Olivo López as president.
From 2019 to 2023, he served as treasurer of the board of directors, with Tomás López Bueno as president.
From 2023 to the date of this report, he served as treasurer of the board of directors, with his son Marcos García Bonache as president.
In 2003, he took the reins of the San Roque Inter-Club Federation following the resignation of Efrén Navarro. It was in May 2003, while serving as president of the San Roque Interpeñas Federation,
Efrén Navarro, and following his unexpected resignation, decided to take on the responsibility of president of his Peña (social club) for that same San Roque festival. He worked with the federation to help Ricardo Pablo or Carlos Navarro, and with the then treasurer of Interpeñas, Jorge Miret, organize the 2003 San Roque festivities.
It was in October 2003 that the Management Committee was formed, given the lack of any formal boards of directors. This committee, comprised of all the presidents of the San Roque peñas and various collaborators, such as Juan Carlos Villalba, Ángel Luis Serrano, and José Luis Pinilla, among others, served as the public face of the organization for five years, until 2008. The responsibilities of this management committee were divided among Sergio Ibáñez,
Francisco Javier García, Ricardo Pablo, and Javier García, who also handled the
treasury of the Interpeñas Federation, a task entrusted to him by all the
presidents of the San Roque peñas (social clubs) due to his experience in the treasury of the peñas
where he had previously served.
Peña Member of the Year 2025
Although born in Madrid, Javier García García has been linked to the city of Calatayud since almost birth, and, as could be expected, following in the footsteps of his mother, a member of Peña La Unión in the 1960s, he is very involved in the San Roque festivities.
It was in the summer of 1975, with his family already settled in Calatayud, that he first participated in the San Roque festivities with Peña El Desbarajuste, a group he would remain a member of until he was 13. In 1981, his first adult peña and his first badge were with Peña Rouna.
But it wasn't until 1986 that his dedication and passion for the San Roque festivities truly came to fruition. That summer, once the festivities were over, and motivated by the desire to participate in and improve the celebrations from a different perspective than the existing peñas (social clubs), which at that time were large and complex, they decided to found a new peña, one that had existed at another point in history, and in which they could carry out all the activities that aligned with their way of thinking and their vision of the San Roque festivities. This is how Peña Nogara was founded.
The board of directors was formed, and he was appointed Vice President, a position that would last two years, until the founding board was renewed. During that first year, all their efforts were focused on getting Interpeñas to approve the registration of the two new San Roque peñas, as well as getting the new peña up and running. Years of hard work, recruiting new members, and giving a different twist to what the peñas had been until then.
1. The board of directors was formed, and he was appointed Vice President, a position he would hold for two years, until the founding board was renewed. With the renewal of the founding board, he rejoined the new board, this time as Treasurer, a position he held for only one year. For various reasons, at the end of that San Roque festival, he resigned and left Peña Nogara, three years after its founding.
It was during the 1989 San Roque festival that he first joined Peña Garnacha, motivated by the large number of friends he knew from his time with the Claret 153 Scout Group, as well as his own friends who were founders of the club from the beginning. From that moment on, he worked not only for his club but also for the San Roque festivities, always willing to help in any way he could. As a result of this work, in 2006 he received the Supergarnacho award for his contributions since joining Peña Garnacha. 3
He has served on various boards of directors of Peña Garnacha, holding different positions:
From 2000 to 2002, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, with Agustín Nuevo Alarcón as president.
From 2003 to 2004, he served as president of the board of directors. During his term, he and the president of Peña Nogara, Ernesto Alba, managed to secure permanent locations for both clubs. To this day, both Peña Nogara and Peña Garnacha maintain these locations, which until then had required them to rotate or find alternative spaces, while other clubs had permanent spaces, either municipal or private.
From 2017 to 2018, he served as treasurer on the board of directors, with Oscar del Olivo López as president.
From 2019 to 2023, he served as treasurer of the board of directors, with Tomás López Bueno as president.
From 2023 to the date of this report, he served as treasurer of the board of directors, with his son Marcos García Bonache as president.
In 2003, he took the reins of the San Roque Inter-Club Federation following the resignation of Efrén Navarro. It was in May 2003, while serving as president of the San Roque Interpeñas Federation,
Efrén Navarro, and following his unexpected resignation, decided to take on the responsibility of president of his Peña (social club) for that same San Roque festival. He worked with the federation to help Ricardo Pablo or Carlos Navarro, and with the then treasurer of Interpeñas, Jorge Miret, organize the 2003 San Roque festivities.
It was in October 2003 that the Management Committee was formed, given the lack of any formal boards of directors. This committee, comprised of all the presidents of the San Roque peñas and various collaborators, such as Juan Carlos Villalba, Ángel Luis Serrano, and José Luis Pinilla, among others, served as the public face of the organization for five years, until 2008. The responsibilities of this management committee were divided among Sergio Ibáñez,
Francisco Javier García, Ricardo Pablo, and Javier García, who also handled the
treasury of the Interpeñas Federation, a task entrusted to him by all the
presidents of the San Roque peñas (social clubs) due to his experience in the treasury of the peñas
where he had previously served.
During this period, relations with the Calatayud City Council and the Calatayud Region were strengthened, marking the period in which the most aid and subsidies were received from both institutions. This period concluded with a substantial subsidy exceeding €72,000 from the municipal coffers and advertising support from the Calatayud Region of approximately €5,000. As a result of these relationships, the bull run route was extended with its double fencing, and the first bull runs with young bulls were authorized, something that had not occurred until then.
5 Work began on bringing renowned concerts to the city before the San Roque festivities, with one of the most important at that time being the Hombres G concert at the fairgrounds.
Following the demolition of Interpeñas' premises on Barón de Warsage Avenue, a more central location was secured, with characteristics better suited to the Federation's importance and needs. This resulted in the premises it currently occupies in the municipal building on Ramón y Cajal Street.
Regarding the Brotherhood of San Roque, ties of collaboration between the two institutions were strengthened. Annual financial aid began to be provided, based on the Brotherhood's financial results, for its projects and needs. The Brotherhood's governing boards were invited to all meetings and activities, with the right to speak but not to vote. It was during this period that he proposed to the Brotherhood of San Roque that each group
and the Interpeñas board of directors should have their own processional staffs, in order to accompany
San Roque in all the processions that the Brotherhood had scheduled throughout the year,
involving the Interpeñas Federation of San Roque.
A member of the Brotherhood for many years, Javier has been an active and committed person, always collaborating in whatever has been asked of him, not only in the Brotherhood,
but also in the different groups and even in the Interpeñas Federation, always driven
by his love for these festivities and for Calatayud. He is a staunch advocate in the city's various forums for the San Roque festivities, recognizing them as an economic and tourist engine for the city,
supporting each group's board of directors that contributes their time and dedication
to ensure they remain at the forefront of the best regional festivities, hoping
that they will soon achieve national recognition.
He has instilled that spirit of being a member of the peña (social club) in his family, especially in his two children,
since they were newborns. He has motivated them to love the festivities, to feel those colors,
and above all, to feel like members of the peña. Proud to be able to share the board of directors with them,
and possibly, there is no greater satisfaction for a member who has worked so hard
for San Roque than to see his successor assured.
For our peña, Javier represents the true spirit of the peña. He is a role model for
the new generations because of his unwavering commitment, his constant dedication, and
the deep affection he shows for both the peña and the San Roque festivities.
His involvement has been key to our festivities being what they are today,
and we are convinced that without people like him, they would not have reached the level
we know.
We firmly believe that Javier is one of those essential figures who, with his effort, dedication, and enthusiasm, have contributed to enhancing our festivities year after year. For all he has contributed and continues to contribute, for his sincere passion and his constant work in support of the festivities and his club, we believe he perfectly embodies the values and characteristics necessary to be named Club Member of the Year 2025.
Furthermore, since 2012, Peña Garnacha has not had a representative in the role of Club Member of the Year, with Emilio García Larrea being the only member of the club since its founding in 1986. That is why, after more than a decade, we proudly present a nomination that we feel is truly deserved. Therefore, as the Board of Directors of Peña Garnacha, we propose Mr. Javier García García as Peña Member of the Year 2025, to be our representative, not only of all the members and San Roque Peña groups, but also of the institutions and the city of Calatayud, knowing that he will do so with pride and dignity, because for him the San Roque festivities are work, dedication, effort, feeling, and above all, friendship.
