Following its commitment to reinforce taking care of and conserving the environment, Las Piñas held its Waterlily Festival again.
It is now in its 17th year.
Through the festival, its founder, Senator Cynthia Villar, wants to continue instilling awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability for future generations.
“Through this Waterlily Festival, we are able to showcase the city’s deep love for the environment as a giver of life and livelihood,” stressed Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
The celebration of the 17th Las Piñas Waterlily Festival was staged at the Villar Coliseum, Las Piñas City.
The highlight of the festival was the announcement of the winners of the Miss Waterlily Pageant 2024 and the “Sayaw Kabataan para sa Kalikasan”.
The Miss Waterlily 2024 was awarded to Lois Vivien Garce from Brgy. Talon Singko who took home a cash prize of P30,000.
The Miss Waterlily 2024 was awarded to Lois Vivien Garce from Brgy. Talon Singko who took home a crown, sash, trophy and a cash prize of P30,000.
The other winners are; Irish Silades from Brgy. Almanza Dos who won as1st runner-up and she got a trophy and P20,000 cash. The 2rd runner-up went to Micha Selena Rayo of Brgy. Zapote. She received a sash, trophy and P10,000 cash.
Designer Nash Leeho who created the gown of Garce grabbed the Best Designer award and received P10,000 cash prize from Villar.
For the dancing competition, Brgy. Elias Aldana was declared grand champion.
For the dancing competition, the winners were: Brgy Elias Aldana as grand champion which got a trophy and P30,000 cash; Brgy Talon Singko was first runner-up with a trophy and P20,000 cash and Brgy. Pilar got second runner-up with a trophy and P10,000 cash.
Barangay Talon Singko was also awarded for Best in Costume and received P10,000 cash prize.
Special awards were also given to Barangays Talon Uno, Manuyo Uno, BF International/CAA, and Ilaya, each receiving a P5,000 cash prize.
The contestants in the beauty pageant and dancing competition all dressed in costumes made from water lilies and other recyclable materials.
For many years, waterlilies caused flooding in Las Piñas until Villar, then Las Pinas Representative, started the “Sagip Ilog Program” to rehabilitate the Las Pinas-Zapote River.
Truckloads of waterlilies collected were then turned into baskets, trays, mats, hampers, slippers, chests, and lampshades.
It became a source of livelihood among the Las Piñeros.
