Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya – In a celebration of solidarity, cultural appreciation, camaraderie and the blessings of a stronger, more innovative, and sustainable agriculture, culture, and tourism sector – coined as Masaganang Agrikul-Turismo – the municipality of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya convened its 27th Kalanguya Festival: Timbal Di Hanta Pi (The Kalanguya Wedding) and Santa Fe Town Fiesta with the theme “Natatanging Santa Fe: Nagkakaisa sa Pagdiriwang ng Mapayapa, Munlad at Makulay na Kultura” on March 12, 2025.

This celebration, Masaganang Agrikul-Turismo, marked the opening of the Agro-Trade Fair and Agro-tourism booth. The festivities, held from March 12 to 15, 2025 which was a recognition of hard work, dedication, and innovation for ensuring food security and sustainability for generations to come.

The event was graced by Hon. Langley C. Bautista the SB Member/Committee on Agriculture. Attending the event was the Mayor of Sta. Fe Liwayway C. Camarat, Vice Mayor Jonathan Tindaan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 02 (BFAR) Represented by Halen Ladipe, Director General Forester Aquino Carangan Jr. Palapat, Local Government Unit family of Sta. Fe, Department of Education, and League of Barangay Captain.

The guest speaker was introduced by Santa Fe Municipal Agriculturist Charity Casem, followed by a message from Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino, Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director, who emphasized the importance of agriculture and agritourism.

In her opening statement, Aquino said, “Tayo ay buhay na buhay dahil sa mga magsasakang nagsisikap upang may makain tayo araw-araw. Palakpakan po natin ang lahat ng ating mga magsasaka!”

She highlighted Santa Fe’s agritourism potential and proposed its development as a Kadiwa Stop Shop along the highway.

“Tuwing dumaraan ako rito, pagpasok mo pa lang, mapapatingin ka sa kaliwa at kanan. Kahit antok na antok ka, mapipilitan kang magising dahil sa dami ng mga sariwang gulay, prutas, at iba pang produkto ng Sta. Fe—mapipilitan kang huminto,” Aquino added.

“Kaugnay nito, sa agriturismo, nakikita ko ang malaking potensyal ng Sta. Fe. Kung naririnig ninyo ang Kadiwa Store, Kadiwa ng Pangulo, at Kadiwa Pop-up Store, maaari nating ideklara o gawing Kadiwa Stop Shop ito sa highway. Kakausapin ko ang Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) upang makatulong sa pagsasaayos nito para mas makilala kayo sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng Kadiwa. Ibig sabihin, magiging kakaiba ang inyong pampublikong pamilihan sa kahabaan ng highway dahil mapapahinto ang mga tao.”

She also reiterated Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s directive: “Naayon sa bagong advocacy at initiatives ng ating Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., mag-develop kayo ng ‘White Fields’ cluster area of vegetables at indoor cultivation system through greenhouses. Iyan po ang proyekto ng ating Kalihim, at nakita namin ang malaking potensyal ng Sta. Fe dahil sa lokasyon nito.”

Recognizing Santa Fe’s strategic location and potential, she committed: “Ang pagpunta ko rito ay upang ipahayag ang aking pangako na maglalaan tayo ng tatlong (3) yunit ng greenhouses na ilalagay natin sa barangay Unib Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. Bibigyan po namin ang Sta. Fe ng Zero Energy Cooling Chamber (ZECC) technology mula sa Cagayan Valley Research Center. Ang teknolohiyang ito ay makakatulong upang mapahaba ang shelf life ng mga kamatis, prutas, at gulay nang 15 hanggang 25 araw. Maaari natin itong ilagay sa inyong trading area o sa packing house ng inyong farm upang matulungan at matugunan ang problema sa pagkabulok ng kamatis. ‘Yan po ang dahilan kung bakit ako narito.”

Before the program started, Aquino took the opportunity to explore the booth of Sta. Fe, discovering the various products on display.

She came across a booth selling the Ube Kinampay variety. From this, she shares exciting news that Kinampay Ube has successfully passed export standards to Japan and is now being introduced to the European market.

“Ang Kinampay ay pumasa sa powder export market, partikular sa Japan, at ngayon ay dinadala na rin sa Europe trade fair. Ang variety na ito ay para sa export, at nais natin itong palawakin sa buong Pilipinas. Kaya naman, kailangan natin ng mas maraming produksyon ng ube, partikular ang Kinampay variety. Dapat natin itong i-commercialize, kaya paramihin natin ang planting industry variety na ito. Babalik kami upang tingnan kung paano namin kayo masusuportahan sa pamamagitan ng Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station.”

Following the speeches, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the agro-tourism booth, symbolizing another milestone for Santa Fe’s agritourism and economic development.

The 27th Kalanguya Festival and Santa Fe Town Fiesta will continue until March 15, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage, agricultural innovation, and warm hospitality that define this progressive municipality in Nueva Vizcaya.