By Danilo P. Padua, PhD
The Beatles, a great band from Liverpool, England that revolutionized the pop music industry during my high school days, immortalized strawberry in their hit song entitled, Strawberry Fields Forever.
Almost exactly the same title was adopted by La Trinidad, Benguet as the theme for the 38th edition of its Strawberry Festival. While strawberry is not an old crop in the town, starting only to be a commercial crop in the 1960s, it had become so hugely popular that it was chosen as the one town one product (OTOP) of both La Trinidad and Benguet itself.
For the following six decades, production of the sweet fruit was confined to the gardens in the valley. When the western link road (the road going to the strawberry fields, exiting at the Palmaville) opened in the early 2000s, I wrote an article (not in this paper) entitled, “The vanishing strawberry fields”. I stated then that it will result in a construction boom along the length of the road and even deeper, resulting in diminished areas for strawberry and vegetables. The caution then was for the municipal government to regulate such impending flurry of construction. Or, to find areas elsewhere where strawberries could be planted suitably to replace gardens that will be converted into infra sites.
Sure as the sun rising in the east, the grim scenario happened. Tens of strawberry hectares were erased forever from the landscape, replaced by buildings, two or three of which are now “leaning towers” of Swamp. Seems that strawberry fields forever may not be forever at all. Fortunately, strawberry fields have now taken roots in many towns of Benguet, particularly Atok and Buguias. This became possible because of concreting of most major roads in the province making the transport of the fruit not much of a problem, unlike before.
Of course, La Trinidad would not want to lose its enviable position as strawberry capital of the Philippines. No less than Benguet congressman, Ronald Cosalan, is trying to help the LGU make the strawberries forever, stay as it is – forever. Sadly, Cosalan and other LGU officials have trained their eyes only on the preservation of the strawberry field of BSU – the same area that is promoted as strawberry field. I will repeat what I wrote last week in this space. There is no need to file a bill in congress just for BSU to preserve its strawberry field. I know that the university is doing its best to preserve the field. Besides, a relevant resolution of its Board of Regents will suffice for the purpose. Cong. Cosalan could set his eyes on other important laws that will redound to the benefit of Benguet inhabitants.
During the closing and awarding program of the 2018 Strawberry Festival, I had the good opportunity to be invited by the La Trinidad LGU to be the guest speaker. I willingly obliged. I made it clear that the LGU had done wonders in making the festival as it is now despite challenges such as measly budget. Of course, being a proud resident of La Trinidad, I had enthusiastically followed the festival through the years. I have seen its ups and downs. Sometimes, it was never felt at all. But now, it is gaining enthusiastic adherents.
I sincerely give my thumbs up to the La Trinidad officials, planners and implementors of the 2018 festival for the modest success of the event. I would like though to forward the following suggestions which may further improve the festival, some of which I presented during the closing program:
a. There should be a more creative method of sourcing out funds such as tapping the benevolent hearts of former residents who are now successful elsewhere. The better off OFWs from the town could also be convinced to share their blessings for others to enjoy. More fund should make for a better festival; b. earlier planning. The earlier, the better activities could be planned; c. involve others in planning and in management/handling of events including the business, the youth, the women, the senior citizen and academic sectors. This will widen participation thus heighten interest; d. encourage the participation of others in the float parade and let them compete separately from the barangay floats; e. art and culture should not be left out in the activities; f. sponsorship should not be limited to prizes but encourage sponsors to be more involved in the implementation of the activity, and if possible it is not where they want the event to take place but where it is more appropriate to hold; g. active promotion in the media. This should allow people everywhere to know more about the festival and fan their interest in it; h. crafting of relevant agri-ecotourism ordinances should be a big help, and should therefore be encouraged; i. there should be a wider area for the final cultural part of the parade so more people could enjoy it; j. the strawberry cake should always be a fixture of every strawberry festival. It is what the people want, expect, and would like to partake in.The division and distribution of it should therefore be one of the highlights of the event.
For a long term effect, the following must be taken into consideration: a. hotels should be encouraged to be put up in strategic places. With a thriving tourism industry and a population of around 134,0000, it is a wonder that La Trinidad does not have a single hotel catering to tourists, including the foreign ones. Maybe appropriate incentives should be put in place. According to official estimates, tourists in the town stay for only 15-45 minutes then go, spending more time elsewhere. Opportunity lost. This will eventually change sooner than expected if hotels and better restaurants will be established in the town; b. tourism-accredited restaurants, resorts, other tourist facilities should also be encouraged to be established. To realize this, local businesses could be pro-actively helped not only by the LGU but also the regional and/or provincial tourism offices.
To make the strawberry fields forever, the La Trinidad LGU might consider looking for a 10-hectare or so arable area within the town, make a covenant with the owner/owners to buy it on suitable terms or, protect it. It is here where SB can make a relevant resolution. Or,the good congressman Cosalan may introduce an appropriate bill in Congress.
The length of the festival maybe too long. It might be better to have a compact one-week festival where residents and tourists alike could enjoy on a daily basis. Let Panagbenga have its one month celebration but let La Trinidad have its own different version. After all, it happens right after the famous festival. This will necessitate a longer and better planning.
The La Trinidad LGU should find connection between the festival and culture, or economic aspect or any major event. This will be good for its promotion. For this, they could take a cue from Panagbenga itself as it came about on the aftermath of the killer 1990 earthquake. Or, the Masskara festival in Bacolod that came about after a big sea mishap that ended the life journey of many of its inhabitants, coupled with the disastrous plummeting of prices of sugar, then the number source of income in the city.
It might be of interest to know that La Trinidad belongs to the top 200 among the 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities in the Philippines in terms of income. Also, that it ranks 121st in population among the cited cities and towns. It is 28th in population among the 81 provincial capitals. These are considerations in striving to make the strawberry festival rank high or among the most popular festivals in the country.
The improvement of the strawberry festival, it must be emphasized, is possible only with the cooperation or involvement of all sectors, and the inspired leadership of the municipal officials. **
