By Roy C. Tomandao
SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna (April 22, 2024) -- City Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado today announced the launch of 'Sampaguita Flower Festival' — a citywide celebration of San Pedro City's booming digital games community featuring marquee events, expos, tournaments, exhibits, workshops, and programs across all 27 barangays from May 1 to 5, 2024.
Mercado describes the Sampaguita Festival as a “launchpad for economic recovery” for San Pedro.
"Layon nito na maigunita ng pista ang kahalagahan ng Sampaguita sa kultura ng San Pedro, makahikayat ng turismo at paunlarin ang industriya ng sampaguita dito," Mercado told Manila Standard in an interview after the press briefing at the San Pedro City Capitol.
An annual festival that not only celebrates the beauty of the national flower, San Pedro, Laguna’s Sampaguita festival also serves as a way to promote tourism and to invigorate the local flower industry in the community.
By tradition, leis and garland made of Sampaguita flowers is a popular industry in San Pedro and the main source of income of residents there since it was popularized by the likes of David Amante after World War II, Mercado pointed out.
He said the Sampaguita Festival is an exuberant week-long celebration that offers a diverse range of activities. The mayor bannered that from cultural displays and athletic competitions to trade fairs and dance contests, the festival has "something for everyone."
The 2024 celebration, Mercado said, will also feature art exhibitions, parades, social gatherings, religious ceremonies, tribal dances, sports exhibitions, and a Governor's Night with Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez at the helm, creating a vibrant atmosphere that showcases the local culture and traditions.
"At the heart of the festival is a special tribute to the Sampaguita flower, which holds significant importance as the national flower of the Philippines," Mercado said.
San Pedro, Laguna is well-known for its thriving Sampaguita industry, where skilled artisans craft beautiful garlands made from these fragrant flowers. The town’s dedicated farmers continue to cultivate Sampaguita, contributing to the industry’s growth and success.
"This event has earned the city the distinction of being the Sampaguita capital of the Philippines. Despite its small size, San Pedro takes great pride in hosting this festive occasion, which has become a significant part of its cultural identity," he said.
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