Repulic of the Philippines

Province of Benguet
MUNICIPALITY OF LA TRINIDAD
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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La Trinidad Strawberry Festival Overview

Even before La Trinidad ever became the Strawberry and Cutflower Capital of the
Philippines, it has already carved its niche as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines. The town
was already known for producing such well-known and in-demand vegetables as the sayote,
carrots, the so-called Baguio beans, cabbages, pechay, lettuce and cucumbers, among others.

The diversification into strawberry and cutflower production was prompted, in part,
by competition from neighbouring towns which went into mass vegetable production.
Primarily, farmers were looking for a more income-generating product that would be
suitable and unique to the town, thereby curbing competition. A quote from former Mayor
Hilarion Pawid says it all: From "Salad Bowl" to "Strawberry Fields of the Philippines ---
it's an identity no other place can grab from La Trinidad. Much more so we are now listed in
the Guinness Book of Records and book of lists... we are proud of our farmers... we owe
them our title!

Strawberry production in La Trinidad is not as new as we think. It was initiated in the

early years of 1900 by the Americans who established an Agricultural School in 1916 and
who found the climate and fertile soil suitable to strawberry growing. As the years went by,
through various studies and technology transfer, strawberry varieties were introduced to
local farmers : Tioga, Toyonaka, Haronaka and Sweet Charlie. Sweet Charlie remains the
favorite among local producers.

The first Strawberry Festival was celebrated in 1981 in commemoration of the town
fiesta honoring our Patron Saint, Saint Joseph. It has undergone innovations throughout the
years: changes in name - Panaspulan tan Pansadshahan; expansion of activities; and the
enactment of a Strawberry Festival Ordinance in 2011.

Although it has undergone changes, the aims of the Festival are essentially the same:
to showcase the strawberry as our One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) and to foster and
rekindle ties between and among local and foreign folks alike. It is also an avenue to
promote the towns many other products, and celebrates our cultural diversity and richness,
under the tourism banner valley of colors. A steady increase in the yield and income has
been witnessed through the years testimonies that the Festival has been consistently
accomplishing its twin goals.

As we celebrate the 36th Strawberry Festival with the theme : Sustaining the fruits of
La Trinidads Agro-Eco Tourism, we remain thankful of Gods blessings of a fertile soil and
temperate climate and our farmers bountiful harvest.