PORMAL nang sinimulan ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Guiguinto, Bulacan ang kanilang 24th “Halamanan Festival 2022” sa isang simpleng selebrasyon sa gitna ng pandemya.

Pinangunahan ni Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr. ang opening ceremony ng nasabing annual celebration kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng pista ng Patron ni San Ildefonso nitong Huwebes.

Ang selebrasyon ay sinimulan sa garden competition na isinagawa sa Guiguinto Municipal Arena kung saan 50 gardeners mula sa nasabing bayan ang lumahok sa iba’t ibang kategorya kabilang ang Landscaping (topiary and figure plants); Bonsai (cactus and succulent); Ornamental Plants (on the spot dish garden making).

Nakapag-uwi ng tropeo at cash na insponsoran ng local government unit ang mga nagwagi na sina JunJun Sison, champion sa Ornamental Plant category; Alvin Tobias sa Topiary small/ Figure Plant category;  Cesar Androin- Bonsai champion; Clarissa San Lorenzo-Cactus and Succulent champion; Ronnie Domasig-On the Spot Dish Garden Making champion at Luz Moroña -Landscaping champion.

Ayon kay Cruz, ngayong taon ay ginawang simple ang selebrasyon dahil sa umiiral na pandemya kaya inalis muna ang iba pang aktibidad gaya ng “Indakan Sa Kalye” at “Parada ng Karosa”.

“Our garden and landscape industry is now being recognized not only in many parts of the country but in other countries as well. We want to showcase the craftsmanship of our skilled gardeners and landscapers in the annual Halamanan Festival which kicks off on the feast day of our patron Saint San Ildefonso, the saint of farmers,” wika ni Cruz.

“Halamanan Festival has gone a long, long way and has now become one of the crowd-drawing attractions in Bulacan and expected to be in full bloom next year,” dagdag pa ng alkalde. (ELOISA SILVERIO)