BAGUIO CITY – DIWATA, an organization dedicated to empowering women in resource development, held a ceremonial planting of the iconic everlasting flower at the Baguio Post Office Garden. The event was led by DIWATA founder Ambassador Delia Albert, Creative Baguio City Council Chairperson Marie Venus Tan, and other DIWATA members, alongside Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on November 19, 2024.
Diwata is a Women in Resource Development who is more than 10 years old to bring in women who are working in the industry and women who want to help women. They focus on planting and helping communities. This planting event is part of the long-term activities of Diwata.
Mayor Magalong, in an interview, described the event as a “game changer” for Baguio’s landscaping. He emphasized the significance of the everlasting flower, saying,“This is a sort of a game changer so far as landscaping of Baguio’s concerned dahil we’re now going to introduce yung very famous dating na everlasting.Nakalimutan na natin, hindi natin alam na yung everlasting is actually the official flower of the city of Baguio.And now we’re going to revive it. I hope maraming variety na naitanim natin dyan so that you’ll be able to propagate it. Maraming maraming salamat sa diwata. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng mga leadership ng diwata dahil it’s actually their initiative. Tulong nila sa siyudad ng Baguio.”
On behalf of the local government, Mayor Magalong also expressed heartfelt gratitude to DIWATA for their efforts.
Ambassador Delia Albert highlighted DIWATA’s previous contributions, noting, “Last year, we planted 2,000 everlastings in the Botanical Garden. We want Baguio to be full of flowers again. And everlasting used to be the symbol of Baguio. You must learn to love everlasting because it’s a symbol of Baguio. We want to revive Baguio as a city of flowers. Do something for Baguio because it’s a unique city.”
She also emphasized the city’s natural suitability for growing flowers, adding:
“Baguio is 1800 meters and that’s ideal for a lot of flowers. You have to understand why flowers grow here. It’s the temperature. It’s the elevation. It’s so much.” By Angeline Kafuyao
