La Trinidad Tourism: March 2018

The Municipality of La Trinidad once again celebrated its month-long Strawberry Festival with the theme: “La Trinidad’s Strawberries Forever…” this March 2018.

Even before La Trinidad ever became the Strawberry and Cutflower Capital of the Philippines, it has already carved its niche as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines. The town was already known for producing such well-known and in-demand vegetables.

The diversification into strawberry and cutflower production was prompted, in part, by competition from neighbouring towns which went into mass vegetable production. Primarily, farmers were looking for a more income-generating product that would be suitable and unique to the town, thereby curbing competition.

Strawberry production in La Trinidad is not as new as we think. It was initiated in the early years of 1900 by the Americans who established an Agricultural School in 1916 and who found the climate and fertile soil suitable to strawberry growing. As the years went by, through various studies and technology transfer, strawberry varieties were introduced to local farmers : Tioga, Toyonaka, Haronaka and Sweet Charlie.

The Valley’s Strawberry Festival celebrations evolved from a simple Town Fiesta in 1981, honoring its patron saint, Saint Joseph. It has undergone innovations throughout the years: changes in name – like ‘Panaspulan’; expansion of activities; and the enactment of a Strawberry Festival Ordinance in 2011.

Although it has undergone changes, the aims of the Festival are essentially the same: to showcase the strawberry as our One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) and to foster and rekindle ties between and among local and foreign folks alike. It is also an avenue to promote, not only La Trinidad Strawberries, but also the town’s many other products, while celebrating the town’s cultural diversity and richness.

Here are some pictures of the celebrations:

Opening and Ecumenical Service