SILANG, Cavite – The local government of Silang town has brought the Sumilang Festival with the theme “Sumilang: New Farming, Towards a New Birth Full of Hope” (Makabagong Pagsasaka, Tungo sa Bagong Silang na Puno ng Pag-asa) on Monday, April 24 until April 30, 2023.

The festival celebrates Silang town local farmers and features a search for the “Most Outstanding Farmers” and “Best Agricultural Harvest.”

The said festival that gives recognition to Silang farmers was temporarily suspended for three years due to the eruption of the Taal Volcano in February 2020 and the entry of the COVID-19 pandemic into the country.

The Sumilang Festival 2023 opened on Monday, the “Baraka sa Bagong Silang,” and was attended by guests, including Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs and Department of Agriculture (DA) Spokesperson Christine Evangelista; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary for Regional Operation Dominic Tolentino Jr.; DA Region 4-A Ella Dimapilis; Agri Program Coordinator of Cavite, Lorna E. Aviñante; OIC-Provincial Agriculturist and Cavite Provincial Tourism Office head Rozelle Sangalang welcomed by Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna, Vice Mayor Ted Carranza, and Municipal Administrator Nathaniel Anarna.

The festival has a segment for the Search for Most Outstanding Farmer; oldest Silangeño Farmer; outstanding “naturally grown vegetable farmer”; outstanding high-value crops farmer; outstanding corn farmer; outstanding young farmer.

Outstanding agricultural entrepreneur; outstanding ornamental plant producer; outstanding small animal raiser adopting integrated farming system; and outstanding large animal raiser adopting integrated farming system.

The “Baraka sa Bagong Silang” at the Silang New Municipal Grounds displayed various town products with a food bazaar and baratillo open until April 30.

On April 25, a seminar on food processing and slogan & poster making contest was held at the lobby of the municipal hall in Barangay Biga 1.

The festival also hosted a job fair on April 26 at Patio Mdina, and the Silang mayor distributed “Tulong Pangkabuhayan” for farmers, such as hand tractors and organic fertilizer, on April 27.

There will be a coronation night for “Ginoo and Binibining Sumilang” on April 28, while a grand parade will be held along the Poblacion Road participated by local police, Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets, Silang town officials and employees, performing students, farmers association, and the Sumilang Float on April 29.

According to Mayor Anarna, the annual Sumilang Fiesta is observed as “thanksgiving” for the bountiful fruit harvests in this agricultural but first-class town.

On the last day of the festival, April 30, there will be a “Farmers’ Night” and awarding ceremony will be held in honor of the farmers for their great contribution to the economy of Silang.

The Best Agricultural Harvest will also be recognized for fruits such as pineapple, banana (lakatan, saba, and dias), papaya, and jackfruit; in vegetables such as beans, squash, eggplant and eggplant and root crops such as ube and cassava.

The said festival is “a way of offering thanks” and paying homage to its patron saint “Nuestra Señora de Candelaria” and celebrates a bountiful harvest that originally happened during the feast day of the patron saint in February that aims to preserve the cultural heritage of Silang, promote tourism and improve the local economy, and create a product identity for the town.