The local officials of the Municipal Government of Guiguinto, Bulacan celebrates its 26th “Halamanan Festival” with more colorful and full of fun activities in this year’s celebration held on the opening day on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
This year’s celebration anchored from the theme “Guiguinto, Patuloy sa Pagyabong at Paglago” where the festive celebration’s opening ceremony was led by 5th District Congressman Ambrosio Cruz Jr., Mayor Paula Agatha Cruz, Vice Mayor Banjo Estrella and the councils of Sangguniang Bayan.
The Halamanan Festival of Guiguinto is one of the most awaited and celebrated festivals in the province of Bulacan.
Mayor Cruz said this festivity showcases Guiguintenos love for ornamental plants, decorative trees and flowers that provide livelihood to the people of Guiguinto.
This celebration display the culture and artistic talents of Guiguintenos wherein 14 barangays will participate in a weeklong merry making.
The mayor added that Halamanan Festival is an annual event celebrated every 3rd week of January coinciding with the feast of its Patron San Ildefonso de Toledo.
Municipal Administrator Elmer Alcanar said that the festival was established in 1998 by then Mayor and now 5th District of Bulacan Congressman Ambrosio Cruz Jr.
It is likewise an event celebrating the foundation day of Guiguinto town as an independent municipality since 1915.
According to Mayor Cruz, the beginning of this annual festival brought the town to its title as “The Garden Capital of Bulacan”.
It was learned that there are amazing activities that everyone can enjoy during the weeklong celebrations like ‘Parada ng Karosa’ or parade of floats decorated with beautiful plants, colorful flowers, landscaped designs, sometimes adorned with different kinds of animals, bahay kubo, and images of the Blessed Mother.
Also one of the most anticipated competitions during the festival is the street dancing or “Indakan sa Kalye” wherein participating groups from 14 barangays wear colorful dresses adorned with flowers or plan-inspired costumes.
Alcanar said that numerous events and competitions such as Garden Competition, Indakan sa Kalye, ‘Bulaklak ng Halamanan; Folk Dance, Hari at Reyna ng Halamanan Pageant, Landscape Competition, Sundaluhan, Padyak Sikad, Iskolaran and a lot more are activities to look forward to.
People that will witness the celebration according to Cruz can have an unforgettable joyful experience in this weeklong festivities and get a taste of the townsfolk hospitality.
“This year, Guiguinto will once again attract not only tourists but more so, plant lovers in its 26th year of celebrations and brings an experience to cherish and remember in the years to come,” the mayor said.
She sees to it that on this 26th year, the beautiful and colorful masterpieces of ‘The Halamanan Festival’ showcases not only the beauty of Guiguinto but also the aesthetics of the Province of Bulacan.
Cruz’s leadership exhibits appreciation and gratefulness for its growing Garden Industry.
Meanwhile, Cruz announced in her social media post that Guiguinto National Vocational High School named as the overall Champion in the 2024 Bulaklak Ng Halamanan competition (High School category) while Guiguinto Central School was the Champion in elementary category.
This year’s ‘Hari at Reyna ng Halamanan’ won by Carl Andrei Del Rosario and Sophia Reyes of Barangay Tiaong while Hans Clarence Lo from Barangay Ilang-Ilang and Nicole Gimeno from Barangay Malis were named as ‘2024 Maharlika at Mutya ng Halamanan’ and this year’s ‘Datu and Diwata Ng Halamanan’ were Hobby Aeron Paraiso and Karryl Bernanrdo.
