Halamanan Festival wins the highest tourism award at the first-ever Gawad Singkaban
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Halamanan Festival of the Municipality of Guiguinto brought home the ‘Natatanging Pook sa Pagpapaunlad ng Turismo’ award during the Gawad Singkaban awarding ceremony held last night at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
The ‘Garden Capital of Bulacan’ received P200,000, a trophy and a plaque of recognition for their contribution in the development of the tourism industry in the province of Bulacan.
Also, Renato Villanueva, Guiguinto’s Tourism Officer, was recognized as the ‘Natatanging Tourism Officer’ and took home P30,000, a trophy and a plaque of recognition.
Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz, Jr. thanked the Provincial Government of Bulacan for recognizing the efforts of their town in establishing the Halaman Festival.
“I am accepting this award in behalf of all the people, lahat po ng taga-Guiguinto, na taun-taon ay naghihirap para lamang maging successful ang Halamanan Festival. The people behind all of these festivals ay talaga pong naghihirap para dito, pawis at dugo. Naka-involve ang mga barangay, naka-involve ang mga NGO, naka-involve ang lahat. We will indeed treasure this award na napakalaking bagay para sa amin,” Cruz said.
Other Gawad Singkaban winners include Bistro Maloleño as ‘Natatanging Restawran’, Klir Waterpark Resort and Hotels as ‘Natatanging Hotel o Resort’, Manejkom Travel and Tours as ‘Natatanging Travel Agency’, and Three Lucky Mountains Dragon Fruit Farm as ‘Natatanging Agri-Tourism’. Each received P100,000, a plaque of recognition and a trophy.
Also, Maria Lynda A. Tubid was conferred with the ‘Natatanging Tour Guide’ award and was given P30,000, a plaque of recognition and a trophy.
Meanwhile, Umagang Kay Ganda, Unang Hirit, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho and Biyahe ni Drew were given special citation as ‘Most Supportive Media Award for Television’ for regularly featuring Bulacan tourism on their shows.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado thanked the efforts of the nominees and awardees to support and enliven the tourism of the province.
“Bilang anak at mamamayan ng Bulacan ay binigyan ninyo ng halaga at ipinagbubunyi ang dignidad ng pagkatao at pagiging tunay na alagad ng Singkaban ng ating makasaysayan at dakilang lalawigan ng Bulacan sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng inyong panahon, lakas, talino at kakayahan na walang pag-iimbot at walang hinihintay na materyal na kapalit,” the governor said.
The governor also awarded a trophy to Board Member Ma. Lourdes Posadas for authoring Resolution No. 276-T’17 or the “Kapasiyahan na Pinagtitibay ang Panlalawigang Kautusan na Nagtatakda sa Buwan ng Setyembre bilang Buwan ng Turismo Kung Saan Magkakaroon ng Patimpalak, Pagkilala at Parangal sa Natatanging Turismo na tatawaging “Gawad Singkaban”.
Gawad Singkaban is a project of the PGB through the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO), which aims to refine and enrich the beauty and orderliness of the tourism industry of the province of Bulacan.