April 28 marks the
8th year of Sandiya Festival in Oton, Iloilo celebrated this year alongside
Katagman Festival as Sandiya Growers Day at 2 p.m. at the Oton Amphitheater
Green. The annual event is based on the idea of honouring the watermelon
farmers, meeting new friends and sharing in a natural environment, the best
watermelon in Iloilo.
Watermelons have
been grown in the area for several years. Ogtonganons live closer to nature
blessed with abundant farm produce. They wanted to share nature’s bounty with
the rest of the community so with the help of the municipal government, the
Oton Watermelon Grower’s Association (OWGA) and East-West Seed Company
Incorporated organized a festival centered on watermelon, and meeting in a
natural setting.
Ogtonganons come
together under the umbrella of watermelon which they provide Ilonggos, along
with so much more. With our need for tasty, fresh fruit satisfied, plus
movement and play, warmth and sunshine, connection and much more, we can relish
in the opportunities to dive in and get to know ourselves and others on a
deeper, more fulfilling level.
The celebration
serves as a platform for watermelon growers to talk and share their best
practice on watermelon farming and to discuss with the local government how
they can increase consumer demand for watermelon for promotion, research and a
possible education program.
Best known for its
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits, the watermelon is related to
the cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and gourd that grow on vines on the
ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong, or spherical in shape and feature
thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. Watermelons range in size
from a few pounds to upward of ninety pounds. There are between 600–1,200
different varieties of watermelon existing worldwide, but all of these
varieties belong to the same scientific genus and species of plant, called
Citrullis lanatus.
China is by far the
largest watermelon-producing country and accounts for over half of all world
production. The European Union countries, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Brazil, and the
United States are the next largest watermelon producers, but each produces less
than 5% of the world total.
As an opening event
for Katagman Festival, the watermelons at this time are at its best, when they
are everywhere, where farmers find the best quality watermelon in the farm, and
when they are really of high quality and bursting with flavour that they speak
for themselves. And special watermelon activities offered too!
Under the leadership
of Mayor Vicente Flores, the annual festival has showcased watermelon as a
healthy, refreshing, versatile fruit. Thanks in part to organizers effort,
watermelon is not only for picnics anymore, but has won a regular place in
every Ilonggo’s lists enjoyed year-round either in slices or added to desserts,
drinks, and other interesting recipes.
So, stop wondering,
come enjoy the best watermelon from Oton with plenty of fun under the sun and
meeting new friends.
Oton is a First
Class municipality. Approximately 10.2 kilometers away from Iloilo City, the
town is bordered in the east by the district of Arevalo in Iloilo City; west by
the municipality of Tigbauan: north by San Miguel; and the southern portion by
a stretch of shoreline of the Sulu Sea. Made up of 37 barangays, the town has a
total land area of 8,456 hectares. For more information, please contact Mrs.
Irene Otero – Municipal Tourism Officer at 09479954730 or at (033) 3351014.
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