• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 25th Banana festival of La Castellana in Negros Occidental, will officially start today, April 1, simultaneously with the town’s annual patronal fiesta.
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan will lead the opening ceremony at the Panorama Park at 10 a.m. today, which also kicks off the Agro-Trade Fair, where 15 of its barangays will participate, showcasing their products, especially homegrown bananas of different varieties.
The Agro-Trade Fair will run until April 5.
The weeklong festivities will also include the 1st Mayor Mhai’s Garden Show that will start today until April 5, and a Food Park at the town plaza.
Another highlight of the Silver Banana festival is the search for the Banana King and Queen, to be held Monday night at the town auditorium.
On Tuesday, the Don Felix Elementary School and the La Castellana Elementary School will hold their respective alumni homecomings, while at the Panorama Park will be the 3rd Palupad Burador.
On April 3, the La Castellana National High School will hold their grand alumni homecoming while on April 4, the St. Vincent High School will also have their general alumni homecoming.
The festivities will culminate on April 5 with the St. Vincent Ferrer annual patronal fiesta.
Mangilimutan said that the town is now known for its Saba (a banana variety) sticks that is already being sold in local and national outlets.
It also has different flavors, similar to French fries, the mayor said.*
