During the Kapihan sa Benguet on February 14, 2023. (PIA-CAR)
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The local government unit of La Trinidad, Benguet launched the celebration of the Strawberry Festival 2023 thru a Kapihan, Tuesday (February 14).
Anchored on the theme, “A Festival for Recovery: Building a Brighter Future from Adversities”, the festial is expected to draw more locals and tourists after three- year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Romeo Salda enjoined the public to participate in the celebration the whole month of March.
“We want that people of La Trinidad will participate in this Strawberry Festival,” he said.
Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan said the celebration is something special after three years since the pandemic hit in 2020.It is also a way of helping revive the local economy.
“Daytoy metlaeng ti kasla aramiden tayo so that we could open up the economy in the municipality of La Trinidad,” Awingan said.
A highlight of the event will be a giant twin red and white strawberry shortcake. The white strawberry is a new product of La Trinidad which is eliciting curiosity among locals and tourists alike.
Among the activities include Strawberry Lane and Agro-Fair at the municipal park on March 6-31 where strawberry produce, products and by-products will be featured, displayed, and sold; the Drum and Lyre, Street Dancing, and Small Floats Parade on March 18; Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad Strawberry Festival; Dongba ni Kabajo (Horse Racing) on March 25-26, among others.
Awingan aloso emphasized that the Strawberry Festival is a community festival that entails the engagement of the community in the activities to be conducted.
Among the community-led activities lined up for the month-long celebration are the following: Strawberry Festival Pet Show (March 12), 4 by 4 Off Road Challenge (March 11-12); Strawberry Run (March 12); Variety Show (March 12); Strawberry Motocross and Downhill Mountain Bike Challenge (March 20), Cordillera Ullalim Chorale Concert (March 26), and a Title Fight by the World Council for Combat Sports Philippines (April 1).
“Everyone is invited to participate and to enjoy these particular community-led activities to be celebrated as part of the Strawberry Festival,” Awingan said.
The celebration of Strawberry Festival has been institutionalized through a Municipal Ordinance No. 5-2011 authored by then Councilor Awingan. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
