Laguna 'ANILAG 2018' festival kicks off March 10

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna -- The Laguna provincial government will stage its 3rd annual provincial festival called “ANILAG 2018” on March 10 to 17, 2018 at the Provincial Capitol compound.

Governor Ramil Hernandez announced Monday in a media conference that the ANILAG Festival 2018, short for “Ani ng Laguna,” or harvest of Laguna, will adopt this year’s theme “Sama-Sama ang Pamilya sa Masayang Laguna” (United Families in a Happy Laguna).

“We wanted families to come together and enjoy the bountiful harvests from the province’s abundant resources and rich cultures,” the Governor said.

He added that trade fair competition, land float parade, street dancing, fashion competition, crafts and motor show, activities catering to senior citizens, LGBT community; and artisans of different expertise are among the events the families and tourists could watch and enjoy.

Also highlighting the festival is the annual competition for the Binibini and Ginoong Laguna, showcasing the beauty and talents of the people exemplified by those who have brought honors to the province in recent months.

The Laguenenses, who reaped honors in the international arena and domestic front, include Ariella Ara Arida (Ms. Universe 3rd Runner-Up 2013); Justine Mae San Jose (Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism, 2016); Laren Mae Bautista (Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, 2015) and Richard Faulkerson now famous as Alden Richards who started his career as participant in the 2010 male personality tilt.

Hernandez said the festival has already earned recognition and awards as Best Tourism Practices and a Hall of Famer on the provincial festival category given by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP).

The Governor clarified that on Aug. 1, 2012, the original “ANILAG Festival” was renamed to “La Laguna Festival” but through Provincial Ordinance No. 2 series of 2016, the festival reinstated on Jan. 18, 2016 its original name to continue the legacy of its origin.

He said that since then, Laguna’s tourism industry has flourished and the province’s tourist arrivals have tripled, making it a crucible of cultural experience and foremost representative of its heritage and economic potential. (PNA)