LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The baking and presentation of some ten thousand cupcakes will serve as one of the major highlights of this year’s Strawberry festival in the municipality as preparations are now underway for the annual conduct of the crowd drawing event next month.
The theme of this year’s month-long celebration is “La Trinidad: The Strawberry Capital of The Philippines (Sirom Ni Duting),” reflecting the town’s emphasis on strawberry production, as encapsulated in the Ibaloi term. This theme is in line with the “one town, one product” initiative. Mayor Romeo K. Salda has announced an innovative change for this year’s festivities, opting to showcase 10,000 strawberry cupcakes priced at 40 pesos each, in lieu of the traditional giant cake.
The strawberry cupcakes will be sold to the public on March 17, 2024 to help in recovering the funds that were used to prepare the said cupcakes.
Regarding local strawberry production, Mayor Salda reported that 39 hectares of strawberry fields were cultivated by 1020 farmers, with an average yield of 18-22 tons per hectare. Despite the increasing popularity of strawberries, he reassured the public of an adequate supply for both residents and tourists. Additionally, La Trinidad has introduced a new strawberry variety called the Snow-White variety, known for its remarkable sweetness and imported from China. Although the current production and availability of seedlings are limited, there are plans in place to expand cultivation with the collaboration of selected farmers.
Municipal Tourism Officer Valred E. Olsim explained that the themed celebration “La Trinidad: The Strawberry Capital of The Philippines (Sirom Ni Duting)” aims to reaffirm the town’s identity as the primary producer of strawberries in the country. Olsim emphasized that while other towns may claim or promote strawberries as their own, this year’s theme is a way for La Trinidad to showcase its pioneering role in establishing and promoting the berry as their “one town, one product.” This vision serves as the basis for their tourism promotion and positions the festival as a key driver for the future economic development of the municipality of Benguet.
During the main celebration on March 15, Mayor Salda announced that Senator Imee Marcos will be the guest speaker, accompanied by Congressman Eric Go Yap and Governor Melchor Diclas.
Further, special invitations were extended to their sister municipalities abroad, including those from Malaysia, Jenjune in China, and Guam, who have confirmed their participation in the festival.
However, the response from Thailand is still pending. These dignitaries and international guests are expected to enhance and enrich the festivities with their presence.
Mayor Salda revealed that the float parade will be adorned with real flowers, adding a vibrant and natural touch to the event. He also explained the fluctuating prices of strawberries, stating that they will be subject to market demand, though he urged farmers to preserve their stock for the festival.
But the price of the rare snow-white strawberries is expected to remain high due to limited production, while the regular red strawberries will be more affordable. A total of 21 main events and 10 community-led events have been prepared, bringing the total number of festival events to 31.
The anticipated quantity of strawberries needed for making cakes is estimated to be around 500 kilograms, consistent with last year’s usage.
Mayor Salda also highlighted the significant assistance provided by Japanese technology and machinery in enhancing the resilience and productivity of the local strawberry crops. This technological support has contributed to strengthening the strawberry plants, resulting in increased and prolonged fruit production. Additionally, a natural spring located in Capjaran Pico, La Trinidad has been identified as the main water source for irrigating the strawberry fields, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for the crops.
Moreover, there are plans in place for an exciting development next year, as they are anticipating the introduction of a twin giant strawberry variety. This unique innovation involves a combination of two distinct types of strawberries, namely the snow-white and sweet Charlie varieties. This promising initiative aims to further diversify and enhance the local strawberry cultivation, offering the potential for new and exciting flavors and textures. By Joy Anne M. Palaoag and Hazel Rose Infante