BAUANG, La Union (PIA) – The town of Bauang, La Union hosted the UBAS (Grape) Fest 2024 on Dec. 16, showcasing its agricultural strength and tourism potential through a celebration of its signature crop—grapes.
The festival showcased how the fruit drives economic growth and highlights the municipality’s dedication to sustainable farming, culinary innovation, and community development.
With a vision of becoming the Vineyard City of the North by 2030, Bauang is positioning grapes as a key driver of growth for both its agricultural and tourism sectors.
The UBASPA Cookfest, named after the pioneering barangays offering grape-picking adventures – Urayong, Bagbag, Santiago, and Payocpoc Sur, showcased the ingenuity of local cooks.
Participants transformed grapes, Bauang’s flagship produce, into creative dishes that emphasized the fruit’s versatility and value.
The UBASPA Cookfest at the UBAS Fest 2024 showcased culinary talent, with Barangay Bagbag emerging as the 1st Place winner with a score of 86.66 percent. Barangay Urayong secured both 2nd Place with 85.33 percent and 3rd Place with 84.33 percent.
The competition was evaluated by a panel of judges from the local agricultural and culinary sectors in La Union.
Their expertise ensured a fair assessment of the participants’ creativity and presentation.
The competition not only celebrated culinary creativity but also positioned grapes as a key economic driver, encouraging further value-adding initiatives like food processing and agribusiness development.
Showcasing agricultural excellence
Complementing the cookfest was the PINAKA Contest, which showcased Bauang’s agricultural produce and livestock, focusing on the adoption of sustainable practices that maximizes crop and livestock yields.
In his message, Bauang Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin De Guzman III underscored the event’s role in advancing the municipality’s agricultural sector and boosting tourism.
“We have the best grapes in the Philippines, and this festival strengthens our shared vision to position Bauang as the Vineyard City of the North by 2030. Through sustainable farming and innovation, we are creating opportunities for inclusive growth and development through sustainable farming and innovation,” De Guzman said.
Assisting local grapes farmers
The Municipal Agriculture Office has reported that a total of 60 grape farmers are actively cultivating in the municipality, which serves as a key producer of the fruit in the region.
These farmers contribute significantly to the local agricultural economy by supplying fresh grapes to markets, supporting local livelihoods, and attracting agri-tourism opportunities.
The grape industry has also opened doors for potential value-added products such as wine, vinegar, and dried grapes, further enhancing its economic impact.
Towards a more sustainable future
The success of UBAS Fest 2024 reflects the municipality’s efforts to align agriculture, tourism, and innovation toward a common vision: sustainable development.
The local government is laying the groundwork for economic growth, job creation, and food security by promoting agritourism initiatives such as grape-picking adventures, culinary contests, and agricultural exhibitions.
Moreover, the festival emphasizes the importance of empowering local farmers and entrepreneurs with opportunities to innovate, increase productivity, and access wider markets.
With consistent efforts to modernize agriculture and promote eco-friendly tourism, the town is on track to achieve its vision of becoming a leading agricultural hub by 2030.
De Guzman added that cookfest serves as platforms for collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that every sector contributes to and benefits from the municipality’s progress.
“May we all continue to farm our land sustainably, ensuring that each harvest brings prosperity to our people and pride to our community,” De Guzman said.
Bauang town’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and tourism positions it not only as a key player in the country’s grape industry but also as a model for inclusive and forward-thinking rural development. (CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)
