In the Philippines, festivals have become more than simply a way to celebrate the bounties of a good harvest or a booming economy, or simply a way to relax, have a good time, and spend quality moments with family and friends.
Festivals have also become a rallying point for people from all walks of life to unite for a common goal of progress for their town or city.
That was the main message of the city government of San Pedro City, Laguna as it once again celebrated its annual "Sampaguita Festival," from May 22 to 25.
With a lineup of activities aimed not only at highlighting the Philippines' national flower, the sampaguita, but also the best of San Pedrense talent, this year's Sampaguita Festival has become a focal point for all San Pedrenses to strive together for the city's goal of becoming "Una sa Laguna."
As Mayor Art Mercado himself pointed out during the "Opening Salvo" at the San Pedro City Plaza last May 22, the Sampaguita Festival is more than a celebration of the sampaguita; it is a celebration of how a city can truly achieve its goals through genuine unity.
"Hindi lang natin ipinagdiriwang ang ganda ng ating pambansang bulaklak kundi ang ganda ng ating pagkakaisa bilang isang lungsod," Mercado emphasized in his speech.
"Hindi magiging ganito kaganda ang ating pagdiriwang kung wala ang inyong suporta at pagmamahal sa lungsod. Kayo po ang tunay na inspirasyon kung bakit kami patuloy na nagsusumikap sa pamahalaan para mas maging maayos, mas masaya at mas maunlad ang San Pedro."
Showcase of talent
Festivals, as had been noted earlier, have become a way of showcasing the best of the best of the talents of a town or city. And the Sampaguita Festival is no exception.
The Opening Salvo of the Festival on May 22 gave a very good sample of the talents and creativity of the San Pedrense, with song and dance numbers from various groups and even employees of the city government.
With the "Bloom: Sampaguita Dance Fest" on May 22, the Ginoo at Binibining San Pedro pageant on May 23, the "Agos ng Musika" concert on May 24, and the Sampaguita Petstival and the MLBB Tournament on May 25, San Pedrenses (and others) were given the chance to show off the best of their creativity.
Reviving an industry
But that did not mean the city government had forgotten one of the basic reasons for the celebration of the Sampaguita Festival: the revival of what was once the traditional industry of sampaguita rearing and sampaguita trading.
On May 23, officials and employees of the city government, joined by civic groups and the private sector, participated in the sampaguita-planting activity at a two-hectare lot located at St. Joseph Village 9 in Barangay Langgam.
Among those who participated in the activity include the San Pedronians Society Club, Rotary Club, SM Foundation, Robinsons Malls, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), officials from various barangays, and other non-government organizations (NGOs).
The activity is part of a citywide movement initiated by Mercado to encourage the planting of sampaguitas not only on vacant lots but also inside private homes and establishments.
The city government also took the opportunity to award homeowners associations (HOA) who excelled at the Creative Sampaguita Garden contest that was launched last February.
The Adelina 1 Homeowners Association won first place, with a cash prize of P30,000, followed by the Colina Subdivision Homeowners Association (P20,000 cash prize) and the Pacita 1 - Phase 1D, Homeowners Association (P10,000 cash prize).
And with the Sampaguita Competitive Competition last May 24, the city government hopes to elevate the sampaguita further and open up new products and opportunities for the Philippines' national flower.
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