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Thousands
of local and foreign tourist flock to Sinait, Ilocos Sur to
watch the much-awaited Sinait Garlic Festival during the 1st
to 3rd of May that showcase the talent, ingenuity
and hard work trait of Ilocano Farmers in various competition
form.
The
festival, a brainchild of Gov. DV Savellano and Sinait Mayor
Edgar Yabes, reinforces the image of Sinait as the only Garlic
Center of the North, in Ilocandia and of the entire Philippine
archipelago. It also aims to encourage Ilocano farmers to mass
produce high quality garlic using modern technology.
This
festival otherwise known as Sinait Bawang Festival was
conceived in 2000 by Governor Savellano and Mayor Yabes, who
were given the chance to witness the Garlic Festival in
Gilroy, alifornia, USA known as the Garlic Capital of the
World. Sinait, which has an area of 7,800 hectares and 24,070
population is the entry point to Ilocos Sur from the North
coming from Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Norte.
This unique
festival, according to the young and dynamic Governor,
definitely draws local and foreign tourists to join the
celebration.
Gov.
Savellano said that while it is the primary objective of the
festival to give recognition to garlic farmers, it also aims
to form and educate visitors and local residents on the
importance of the garlic industry to Philippine economy.
The Garlic
Festival also provides various competitions that display the
remarkable talents of Ilocos Sur farmers on garlic cooking and
artistic presentation that includes root trimming, cleaning
and bundling. An added feature is the Search for the Most
Beautiful Cow and Carabao, which aims to recognize the
superior indigenous livestock breed, raised by backyard
farmers and encourage improvement of animal breeding.
The cooking
contest encourages friendly bonding among participating
non-government organizations, elementary and high school
students and teachers as well as culinary experts while in the
process of showing their culinary expertise in preparing and
cooking delectable meals using the calorie and protein rich
garlic as main ingredient.
The post
harvest competition on Ordinary Garlic Bundling and Most
Artistic Presentaiton will show the versatility of Sinait
farmers and visitors.
The
Festival is usually held at the grounds of the Sinait National
High School and kicks off with a pilgrimage to Logo, Barangay
Dalaquitan Norte which is followed by the opening program and
trade fair. A grand parade of garlic floats, street
presentations and street dancing are much-awaited sights as
well.
The
province-wide cooking contest is also held side-by-side with
the Search for the Biggest Garlic Bulb and Garlic Bundling,
whose categories include Longest Twined Garlic, Creative
Bundling, and Bundling Competition which also allows tourist
participation.
May 3 is
the festival’s grand closing day with the celebration being
started by a holy mass early in the morning. The much awaited
Search for the Most Beautiful Cow and Carabao is also a major
highlight. The criteria include general appearance, head and
neck, forequarter, body and hindquarter of the animal breed.
A Marching
Band Exhibition and Competition is usually held in the
afternoon while the Search for Sinait Garlic Festival Queen is
a must-see event in the evening. The Festival is capped by
fireworks display before midnight.
Reference:
The Manila Bulletin
Saturday, April 27, 2002
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