This year’s celebration of the Las Piñas Waterlily Festival reinforced the commitment of Las Piñas residents to value and protect the environment.
Senator Cynthia Villar, who started the festival in 2005, said the yearly event is not only a celebration or a venue for the city’s most talented performers but also a recognition of the importance of environmental protection.
“It stands as a testament to our collective commitment to preserve our environment.”
“Today, the waterlily is no longer a menace or a pest but a symbol of ingenuity, resilience, and community cooperation. It stands as a testament to our collective commitment to preserve our environment,” Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, said.
The veteran legislator lauded the shared efforts of Las Piñeros in the rehabilitation of the Las Piñas and Zapote River through the Sagip Ilog Program, an initiative she started when she was Las Piñas Representative.
Water hyacinths or what is commonly known as water lilies were considered as aquatic pests clogging the Las Piñas and Zapote River, which caused massive flooding in the city.
One of the most awaited activities of the festival is the Ms. Waterlily Pageant 2023. It is participated in by female candidates fielded by each of the 20 barangays in Las Piñas City.
Candidates are required to create their attire using 100% waterlily.
The candidates were judged according to beauty, intelligence, and the over-all creativity of their respective gowns made of waterlilies. Candidates are required to create their attire using 100% waterlily.
Prizes at stake include P30,000 cash, flowers, trophy and crown for the Ms. Las Piñas Waterlily 2023, P20,000 cash, trophy and flowers for the First Runner-up, and P10,000 cash, trophy and flowers for the Second Runner-up.
This year’s winners are: Francine Anne de Castro of Talon Tres, Ms Waterlily 2023; Christine Maico Bautista of Brgy. Talon 5; 1st Runner-up Loiuse Zapanta of Brgy.Pamplona Tres, 2nd Runner-up; Princess Romana De Guzman of Brgy.Almanza Dos as Ms. Photogenic and Ayessa Emille Estrellado of Brgy.Pulang-Lupa Uno as Ms Congeniality. Likewise, designer Nash Leeho of Talon Singko won the best designer award
Also, part of the festivities is the Sayaw Kabataan (SK) Para Sa Kalikasan” Dance Video Contest.
This activity requires each barangay to field 10 to 15 youth dancers, who will be dancing to an upbeat song that they have to demonstrate in a 3 to 5-minute dance presentation.
The incorporation of waterlilies as a prop, costume, or background, is a requirement for
this contest.
Winners of the SK Para sa Kalikasan competition was judged based on their creativity, content, and messaging; choreography, presentation, and originality; and video presentation.
The following prizes are up for grabs: Champion P30,000 and trophy, First Runner-up: P20,000 and trophy, Second Runner-up: P10,000 and trophy.
This year’s SK para sa Kalikasan this year are; Remake Family of Brgy. BF International-CAA, Grand Champion; Talon Youth for Progress Organization Dance Company of Brgy.Talon Uno, First Runner-up; Fusion Flames of Brgy.Talon Singko, second runner-up and People’s Choice; and Ry Ultra of Brgy Ilaya, Best in Costume.
The said festival will also feature various exhibit of waterlily products from Las Piñas City and the province of Laguna.
