First-ever Hardinang Bayeños Garden Show kicks off

by: Marianne Joie Jaraplasan and Ma. Angelika Dinglasan

The Entrance of the Hardinang Bayeños Garden Show warmly welcomes guests with ornamental plants. Photo by Marianne Joie Jaraplasan.

IN FULL BLOOM—The Entrance of the Hardinang Bayeños Garden Show warmly welcomes guests with ornamental plants. Photo by Marianne Joie Jaraplasan.

(UPDATED) BAY, LAGUNA—Hardinang Bayeños Garden Show debuted this April 25 to 30 at Liwasang Arrieta, showcasing the municipality as the ‘Garden Capital’ of Laguna.

In line with the celebration of the 444th Founding Anniversary of Bay, Laguna, the Office of the Tourism, Culture, and Arts of the municipality decided to focus on strengthening their gardening sector. 

Nakita namin yung kahalagaan ng mga maghahalaman dito sa aming bayan kung kaya naisipan namin… na bakit di natin iput up at pasiglahin nang todo ang paghahalaman sa bayan ng Bae sa pamamagitan ng programang Hardinang Bayeños,” said Danilo Lansigan, Tourism Department Staff of Bay Laguna.

(Editor’s Note: Danilo Lansigan is not the current Barangay Captain of Brgy. Dila. We have corrected the article.)

(“We saw the importance of gardening here in our municipality that’s why we thought… why don’t we put up an event that will stimulate the gardening sector to its full potential here in the municipality of Bay through Hardinang Bayeños.”)

Lansigan also stated that the pandemic did not affect the gardening sector in Bay; rather, the sector thrived as it created opportunities for individuals interested in gardening.

Hardinang Bayeños allowed Bay plant enthusiasts to host their own garden exhibits and sell their ornamental plants. The garden show had a total of 23 booths, including one from the Samahang Maghahalamang Bayeños, a new organization of gardeners from the municipality.

Bay’s Tourism Officer Manuel Cabral stated that because Bay is recognized as the Garden Capital of Laguna, they must prove to the public that they are truly what they are renowned for.

Rows of garden booths surround the event venue for people to visit. Photo by Marianne Joie Jaraplasan.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR—Rows of garden booths surround the event venue for people to visit. Photo by Marianne Joie Jaraplasan.

The garden show served as a way of promoting Bay’s gardeners and presenting the variety of bougainvillea and ornamental plants that they grow. It also helped the local residents of Bay and its neighboring communities whose main source of income is gardening.

“Ito ang hanapbuhay namin. [Dahil dito] marami din kaming nakikilalang ibang buyer at tao,” said  Mariel Nuñez, 33, a garden owner in Brgy. Puypuy for the past 5 years. “Ang kahalagahan nito ay para makilala din yung [ibang] maghahalaman at makilala sa ibang lugar para sumikat ang halaman.” She added. 

(“This is our business. [Because of this] we also got to know a lot of other buyers and people… The importance of this is also to meet [other] gardeners, and for our business to be known in other places.”)

There was no payment for any of the 23 slots or booths allotted for the show. All of the proceeds went to the owners themselves.

PLANTITAS IN THEIR HABITAT—Ms. Mariel Nuñez (left) and Ms. Susan Bado (right) being interviewed in their booths. Photo by Ma. Angelika Dinglasan

According to Susan Bado, 55, a resident of Brgy. Puypuy and a gardener for 20 years, the event is important to them as it allowed them meet with other gardeners. They were also able to visit gardens that were new to them.

The municipality still does not have any concrete plan in the future to follow up on the Hardinang Bayeños Garden Show or any event for the gardening sector. However, they plan to focus on increasing the gardeners’ knowledge of their livelihood. The tourism department of the municipality believes that this will boost local sales and help the industry flourish further.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.