LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Forty-eight participants from different barangays in La Trinidad joined the Search for the Biggest and Sweetest Strawberry, held at the La Trinidad Municipal Tourism ground on March 11, 2023.
A farmer from Barangay Pico, Raymund Cho, won recognition for producing the biggest strawberry, which weighed 412 grams and was of the Sweet Charlie kind.
Each participant had to select ten strawberries to weigh
Further, the sweetest strawberry is a white strawberry produced by Franjon Langbis of Barangay Betag, which was likewise determined to be of the same variety. The sugar content is recorded to be 12.13.
They used a refractometer to measure the sugar content to gauge the strawberry’s sweetness.
The first-place winners received P6000 with a certificate and P2000 as a consolation prize for each participant.
As part of the guidelines, the participants must adhere to the rules, which include having farms in La Trinidad and being registered with the RSBA. The entry for the sweetest strawberry considers all types, while Sweet Charlie is only considered for entries in the biggest strawberry.
The event is one of the highlights of the much-awaited Strawberry Festival 2023, with the theme “A Festival for Recovery: Building a Brighter Future from Adversities.”
Hon. Councilor Belemer Elis stated in his message that they anticipate an increase in visitors in the days to come as they advertise the festival in other locations and the Philippine Councilors League event conducted in Pasay City.
Together with supporting, preserving, and sustaining the strawberry industry in La Trinidad, the activity carries on the tradition of seeking out the biggest and sweetest strawberries.
Moreover, Municipal Mayor Romeo K. Salda expressed gratitude to the farmers for joining and maintaining the strawberry production.
The local government and the farmers are now considering a mass production of a new variety called the Chinese Snow White Strawberry.
The variety will also be the highlight on March 18 for Strawberry Fest Cake, a combination of White Strawberry and Red Strawberry; this will be called Twin Strawberry Cake. By Graziella Kate Estrera
