Previous Story
SAIPAN FLOWER AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS FESTIVAL
Lerios’ pink tropical hanging plant wins ‘Best of Show’
After an absence of more than a decade, the Saipan Flower and Ornamental Plants Festival was revived in Susupe last Saturday as part of the Saipan Sabalu Farmers’ Market Inc.’s projects.
Various entries for the competition were displayed at the 4-H Club Building. A total of 83 entries from 26 individuals joined the event. They competed in 10 categories: bacchia, bougainvilla, crotons, duranta, ixora, orchids, palms, dish plants, exotic plants, and hanging plants.
Sophia DL Guerrero’s lovely orchids won first place in its category. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)
Bonbon Lerios’ tropical hanging plant, which won Best of Show, is held by its new owner, Nola Hix, who bought it for $30. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)
Hermes Diaz topped three of the 10 categories. Other first placers were Prince Diaz, Sophia DL Guerrero, Katrina Cabrera, Delfina Santos, Rowena Aldan, and Sang Park D.
Aside from the different flower categories, a “Best of Show” award was also awarded. Bonbon Lerios’ pink tropical hanging plant was the declared winner.
Cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50, along with produce and goodies, were given away to the first, second and third placers.
Those who joined also had the option to sell their entries.
The festival was also spearheaded by its chairwoman, Diann Torres, the wife of Lt. Gov. Ralph Torres, who said beautification of the islands and renewed support for the Sabalu Market are the main reasons for the revival of the festival.
The festival was last held in 2003.
However, unlike the years before when private companies with professional landscapers were the ones who mostly joined the event, this year they wanted individuals and residents to compete.
“Just to get everybody into planting which will beautify our islands,” Torres said. “We want to give the opportunity to women and men who love planting and just spread that out.”
Aside from members of the Sabalu Market, the event was also supported and sponsored by Blossoms Floral Shop, J’s Restaurant, Ace Hardware, True Value, Himawari, YCO, Saipan Shipping, and National Office Supply, among others.
“It’s a good turnout for a little publicity that we did and for a really short time. I believe we started planning two months ago,” Torres said.
According to the committee, they plan to do this every year, a day before Mother’s Day.
“We wanted to do it the Saturday before Mother’s Day so that the guys can buy flowers for mom,” committee member JM Guerrero said.
