The local government of Guiguinto, Bulacan opened the week-long celebration of the 25th Halamanan Festival on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Guiguinto Mayor Paula Agatha Cruz led the event which was themed "Matingkad na Pagkinang sa 25 Taong Paglinang" as she expressed hope that the festival in the municipality will soon grow into the garden showcase in the country.
"Our garden industry has come a long way at patuloy sa paglinang na kinikilala na ngayon ng (and continued to cultivate and is now being recognized by the) Department of Tourism," she said.
"Itong festival natin na ito ay aabutin pa ng another 25 years. Maraming pangarap na punong-puno ng pag-asa ang kahaharapin ng ating bayan," (This festival of ours will take another 25 years. Our town will realize more dreams filled with hope)," Mayor Cruz said.
The weeklong events started with a garden competition at the oval of the Guiguinto Municipal Hall wherein 50 gardeners from different villages in the town participated in several categories including Landscaping (topiary and figure plants), Bonsai (cactus and succulent), Ornamental plants (on the spot dish garden making).
The garden competition was followed by a parade of Halamanan Indakan sa Kalye, a street dance competition, that started at the Garden City in Barangay Tabang to the municipal oval. An interurban showdown competition was held in the afternoon.
Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando was the guest of honor during the opening of the celebration attended by Bulacan 5th District Rep. Ambrosio "Boy" Cruz Jr., Mayor Cruz, and her Vice Mayor Banjo Estrella together with the Sangguniang Bayan.
In his speech before a hundred Bulakenyos, Fernando cited the Guiguinto Halamanan Festival as one of the prestigious festivities in the province of Bulacan.
The governor also proudly shared that the development in the province continues. He said the P745-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulakan town nears realization.
Fernando said that San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang announced that the ground-breaking of the NMIA will be conducted this year and the airport will operate in 2027.