LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Fourteen floats, eleven street-dancing, six drum and lyre competitors, and a presentation of twin giant strawberry cakes highlighted a grand celebration of Strawberry Festival here on Saturday, March 18.

The celebration’s theme was ‘A Festival for Recovery: Building a Brighter Future from Adversities.

Mayor Romeo Salda said 14 barangays joined in the parade, with seven of them competing in the Pro-Environment Category and another seven taking part in the Valley of Colors category.

(Rizaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN)

Each barangay used a non-motorized float made from flowers, vegetables and recycled materials. The parade started at 8:00 a.m. from Km 6 to the municipal ground.

Participants in the Pro-Environment category were barangays Shilan, Lubas, Balili, Tawang, Poblacion and Alno, while Barangay Alapang, Pico, Beckel, Ambiong, Wangal, Bahong and Puguis took part in the Valley of Colors category.

Each of the floats presented the sweet strawberry for which the town is known for, and showcased the products made of strawberries like wine, jam, and the world record holder giant strawberry shortcake. The twin strawberry cake also took center stage.

The town’s culture and tradition were also showcased in street-dancing competition participated by Barangay Ambiong, Ayyoweng di Lambak, Wangal School of Living Traditions, Tawang Cultural Dance Troupe, Adoyan of Barangay Bineng, Skusak Musical Ensemble, Chamno Cultural Group, Betag Tallibeng Cultural Ensemble, Barangay Pico dance group and Kagam-is Cultural Group.

Six elementary schools joined in drum and lyre competition, namely Buyagan Elementary School, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Pico Elementary School, La Trinidad Central School. Lubas Elementary School and Puguis Elementary School.

Winners will be announced next week.

(Rizaldy Comanda / MANILA BULLETIN)

Meanwhile, the giant twin strawberry cake with a total of 16,000 slices was shown to the public inside La Trinidad McKinley Hall, on Saturday afternoon.

Apart from the normal 'red strawberry,' the festival also featured ‘snow white strawberry' which is a new variety in La Trinidad.

The giant cake measured 2.4 meters tall from the base; 1.75 meters in diameter and 3.9 meters in length. A total of 275 kilogram of strawberries were used.

The giant cake’s weight was 1738 kilos made by the bakers Mignonette Balao of Apple Blossom Bakery, Jayne Ducusin of Badu Cakes and Coffee, Normancita Obar of Menchie’s Bakery, and Adelaine Dormiendo of Ad’laines Bakery.

Mayor Salda and the Sangguniang Bayan also led the presentation of the cake and its distribution to those who attended the event.

Out of the total number of slices, 1,000 slices were given to the public for free, while 15,000 slices were sold for P30 per slice, as compensation for the costs incurred in making the two types of cake.

In 2004, La Trinidad made a world record for the biggest strawberry shortcake that weighed 9,622.24 kilograms and was served to more than 10,000 persons.