In celebration of its history, heritage, and cooking skills of locals, the City of General Trias in Cavite staged on Dec. 13 its 6th Valenciana Festival, a part of its 270th founding anniversary and 3rd cityhood anniversary.
Mayor Antonio Ferrer and Congressman Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer IV spearheaded the festival, starting with the wreath-laying ceremony at the General Mariano Closas Trias monument.
Barangay Buenavista reigned in the Valenciana dish cooking contest, beating defending champion Brgy. Sta. Clara and 31 other barangays. Brgy. Buenavista took home the elegant glass trophy and cash prize worth P30,000.
Valenciana is a famous dish in the locality inherited from the Spaniards. According to Caviteños, the dish is like paella without seafood, and instead uses chicken and hotdogs.
Barangay Prinza, meanwhile, won the Giant Lantern competition with its parol made of recycled materials. The village took home P30,000. Brgy. Tapia won 2nd place, while Brgy. Panungyanan took home the 3rd place, bagging P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Governor Ferrer Memorial National High dominated the annual Valenciana Festival Field demonstration, one of the highlights of the festivities. The contingent took home P40,000 cash prize.
Luis Y. Ferrer Senior High School notched the 2nd spot in the street dance contest, taking home P30,000, while Santiago National High placed 3rd and bagged P20,000.
The street dance and field demonstration event featured the theme, “Gentriseño: Magkakaagapay sa Pag-usad at Pag-unlad.”
Prior to the festival, Barangay Manggahan lass Xyly Mharie Rodriquez was crowned as Binibining GenTri 2018, besting 21 beautiful candidates. She also won Miss Photogenic. Rodriguez is a Grade 12 student of Luis Y. Ferrer Jr. Senior High School.
Meanwhile, Congressman Jon Jon Ferrer IV celebrated his birthday with 528 persons with disabilities at General Trias Cultural and Convention Center in Brgy. Sampalukan.
GenTri First Lady Anne Ferrer together with Aisha Columna, wife of Liga ng mga Barangay Federation president Jay Columna, distributed Christmas gifts to less fortunate kids in the city during the festival, while Mayor Ferrer and Cong. Jon Jon distributed gifts to senior citizens.