Feature story: Queen Formosa, sweetest pineapple, promoted in Daet

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

Although the Formosa pineapple is the sweetest variety among home-grown pineapples in Camarines Norte, only local farmers and traders knew of its other potentials.

Mayor Tito Sarion, a town councilor in 1993, has the credit for starting the “Pinyasan Festival” here.

Back in 1990s while attending Philippine Travel Mart Conventions, Sarion conceived of the idea of promoting a local festival in honor of the pineapple.

This year, the Pineapple Festival, popularly known as “Pinyasan,” is on its 20th celebration, and Daet has successfully staged it, in time for its 429th foundation anniversary showcasing the town's bests on culture and heritage, crafts and products, cuisine, and people, among others.

The Pinyasan Festival, which started on June 15, the foundation day of Daet, and ended on June 25, had lined up events highlighting the sweetest queen Formosa pineapples, which the town and the province of Camarines Norte are known for.

The event started with a thanksgiving mass and floral offering at the Rizal Monument grounds, followed with the opening program for the Pinyasan 2012, a parade, the opening of Bahay Anihan Agriculture Fair, and the opening of trade fair.

Activities also conducted were the Pinyasan walk to Bagasbas; beach events like paraw regatta, sand sculpture, and beach volleyball; and the first dog and fashion show.

Aside from these, other activities were the fun run, photo art exhibit, food photography, food fair, master chef competition, horseback racing, Bagasbas events, and SK Acrobatic show, among others.

A series of events were also held: Pinyasan job fair, June 18 and 19; Pinyasan Got Talent, June 20 ; Pinyasan Mayor’s cup regional shoot fest at the Bagasbas Firing Range, June 21; and the Pinyasan Got Talent finals.

To give tribute to the national hero on his 150th birthday on June 19, an essay writing and an extemporaneous speaking contest were conducted, along with the “Doon Po Sa Amin” Pride Campaign Forum and float competition.

On June 22-24, the 4th Mayor’s Cup National Dart Tournament and the Search for Miss Pinyasan, Miss Daet, and Miss Tourism Beauty Pageant were held, while on June 23, the Batang Amorsolo painting competition and the street dancing competition, with special participation of Kaogma Festival of Camarines Sur and Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City and the Miss Quadcentennial Fiesta Queen at the Agro - Sports Center and Fireworks Display at the Eco Athletic Field, were also conducted.

On June 24, a mass was celebrated in honor of the feast of Saint John the Baptist, along with culminating activities of the Quadcentennial celebration, the Kapamilya Caravan Pinyasan Star Express at Eco Athletic Field and Barangay and the awarding night at the Agro-Sports Center.

Mayor Tito Sarion said that this year’s Pinyasan Festival encouraged the Daeteños and tourists to visit the place and enjoy the attractions here, including the first Rizal Monument in the Philippines and in the world, the Bagasbas beach known for surfing, and other scenery in neighboring towns. (MAL/RBM-PIA 5, Camarines Norte)