La Castellana Celebrates 25th Banana Festival Today

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – La Castellana town in Negros Occidental marks the start of its 25th Banana Festival today, coinciding with the annual patronal fiesta.

Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan is set to inaugurate the event at Panorama Park at 10 a.m. The festival’s commencement also aligns with the Agro-Trade Fair, showcasing produce from the town’s fifteen barangays, with a special emphasis on an assortment of homegrown bananas.

The Agro-Trade Fair is scheduled to run until April 5, 2024. The week-long celebration includes the inaugural Mayor Mhai’s Garden Show, which will last until April 5, as well as the Plaza Food Park at the town plaza.

A key event of the Silver Banana Festival is the search for the Banana King and Queen, happening Monday night at the town auditorium.

Tuesday’s activities feature alumni homecomings at Don Felix Elementary School and La Castellana Elementary School, while Panorama Park hosts the 3rd Palupad Burador.

Subsequent reunions are set with La Castellana National High School’s grand alumni homecoming on April 3, and St. Vincent High School’s general alumni homecoming on April 4.

The festivities will conclude on April 5 with the St. Vincent Ferrer annual patronal fiesta.

Mayor Mangilimutan highlighted the town’s fame for its Saba banana variety sticks, now sold in both local and national outlets, and noted their availability in multiple flavors, likened to the variety found in French fries.