Holiday declared in La Trinidad for Strawberry Fest

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Mayor Artemio Galwan has announced March 18 a special non-working holiday because of the ongoing Strawberry Festival.

The festival aimed to promote the municipality as a “Strawberry Capital of the Philippines” and to boost tourism.

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Galwan said the festival holiday will give people the time to celebrate the festival and promote unity and camaraderie among them.

A “Tayo Tan Uwik,” a cultural show is set on Thursday at the municipal gymnasium.

Galwan said the Ibaloi phrase means dancing and butchering of pigs in celebration proves that “the people here have the ability to recover fast.”

The valley was badly hit by recent typhoons last year, leaving hundreds dead and more without homes.

“The people of La Trinidad are resilient and resourceful,” the mayor said.

Galwan added the valley is now an exhibition center for products in the province and is known for strawberries, vegetables and cut flowers.

In 2008, 26,292.28 metric tons (MT) of strawberries were produced here. The peak season for the luscious fruits came in November with a 2,039 MT production until March with 609.56 MT.

There are an estimated 1,908 strawberry farmers in the valley.

A culinary competition for best new strawberry-processed food as the best use of strawberry as an additive, and the best salads and dips made out of the local fruit will also be displayed to the public. (Ma. Elena Catajan)