San Pedro City, Laguna — City Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado on Wednesday announced the launch of Sampaguita Festival 2024, a citywide celebration of the San Pedro City community featuring marquee events, expos, tournaments, exhibits, workshops, and programs across all 27 barangays from May 1 to 5.
Mercado described the Sampaguita Festival as a “launchpad for economic recovery” for San Pedro.
“Layon nito na maigunita ng pista ang kahalagahan ng Sampaguita sa kultura ng San Pedro, makahikayat ng turismo at paunlarin ang industriya ng sampaguita dito,” Mercado told Manila Standard in an interview after the press briefing at the San Pedro City Capitol.
The festival also serves as a way to promote tourism and to invigorate the local flower industry in the community.
Mercado said the Sampaguita Festival is a weeklong celebration that offers “something for everyone”: cultural displays, athletic competitions, trade fairs, dance contests, art exhibitions, parades, social gatherings, religious ceremonies, tribal dances, sports exhibitions, and a Governor’s Night with Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez.
“At the heart of the festival is a special tribute to the Sampaguita flower, which holds significant importance as the national flower of the Philippines,” Mercado said.
San Pedro, Laguna, is well-known for its thriving Sampaguita industry, from which skilled artisans craft garlands.
“This event has earned the city the distinction of being the Sampaguita capital of the Philippines. Despite its small size, San Pedro takes great pride in hosting this festive occasion, which has become a significant part of its cultural identity,” Mercado said.