LA TRINDAD, Benguet – Residents and tourists will be given a treat by the municipal government following the presentation of the giant ‘Kayabang’ strawberry shortcake on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the municipal gymnasium that will serve as one of the major highlights of this year’s celebration of the Strawberry festival.
The giant shortcake will be featuring some 500 kilos of strawberries that will showcase the town’s resilience and progress through the years via the activities that had been lined up by the municipal government for the month-long celebration.
The Giant Kayabang Cake mirrors La Trinidad’s soul, its strawberries, molded into a giant cake in the shape of the traditional basket known as the kayabang, which was traditionally used by by Ibaloi women as carriers of farm products. The kayabang also symbolizes La Trinidad’s bountiful production of upland vegetables that led the municipality to acquire its title, “Salad Bowl of the Philippines,” which is further incorporated in its emblem.
In partnership with Valley Bread as the one in-charge of bringing the cake into life, there will be a total of 16,000 slices with 1,000 given as complimentary, pitched at a price of PhP35 per slice. The Giant Kayabang Cake is expected to be 10 feet tall, its mouth 7 feet wide, and the height of its base at 2 feet tall.
The Strawberry Cake Fest has been one of the traditional activities during the month-long celebration of La Trinidad’s Strawberry Festival every March. On March 20, 2004, La Trinidad earned the Guinness World Record for the largest strawberry shortcake in the world, weighing 9,622.29 kilograms, baked by various bakers who cooperated with the municipality. Until now, La Trinidad still holds the title.
The Giant Kayabang Cake, made of strawberries, is crafted as a tribute to the municipality’s progress and culture, reflecting the theme of this year’s Strawberry Festival, “Semek La Trinidad,” which means Love La Trinidad. By Lyka Capsula
