Negros Occidental’s biggest crops cited in 2011 Panaad Festival

By Vishia Mae Dominic J. Tolcidas

RAC Representative

fits opa Negros Occidental

In this year’s Panaad Festival held April 4-9 anchored on the theme “Patubas sang Negrosanon, Manggad sang Nasyon,” the winning local government units with the ‘pinaka’ (Hiligaynon prefix meaning most, greatest and) in weight, length and size of agricultural crops and fisheries products were awarded in the Pasidungog sa Mangunguma kag Mangingisda sa Panaad April 9, 2011 at the Panaad Stadium in Panaad Park, Alijis, Bacolod City.

Sipalay City bagged two awards for the heaviest papaya that weighed 10.5 kilograms owned by farmer Gemma Lavilla of Barangay Cabadiangan, and the heaviest watermelon (11.2 kg) of Virgelio Trimanyes of barangay San Jose.

Himamaylan City won for the heaviest jackfruit (36.3 kg), a product of Remedios Pelobello of barangay Nabalian and the longest pole sitao (86.5 centimeters) by Vicente Domingo of Barangay 3.

Escalante City won for the heaviest ampalaya (0.85 kg) by Remedio Abnao and the heaviest tomato (0.15 kg) produced by Manuel Amante of Hacienda Fe.

For banana, the heaviest saba (54.9 kg) was the product of Edelido Calanza of Poblacion I, Sagay City and the heaviest lacatan (25 kg) was the entry of Francisco Oplas of Ara-al, La Carlota City.

The heaviest eggplant (0.26 kg) was the entry of Marivic Pedoy of Codcod, San Carlos City while the heaviest squash weighing 10 kg was from Francisco Jiron of Barangay Calapi in Hinigaran.

The heaviest and biggest camote (4.4 kg) and ube (25.7 kg) were the entries of Winnie Sicayco of Caridad, Bago City and Arnold de la Peña of Riverside, Isabela, respectively.

For fishery products, EB Magalona won for the heaviest bangus (2.1 kg and 60 cm long), a product of David Albert Lacson, Sr. of barangayAlicante. La Castellana won the heaviest freshwater tilapia (1.1 kg, 41 cm) by Erlinda Alibo of Hacienda Taborda in Robles and Silay City’s heaviest brackish water tilapia (3.5 kg, 55 cm) was the product of Aurora Layson of barangay Lantad.

In the same fair which featured agriculture, aquaculture, poultry and livestock development, in line with the Food Security Program of the province led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr., farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers were awarded for their competence and excellence in producing food for the table.