In May, the whole city of San Pedro comes together to celebrate Pista ng Sampaguita. The festival is a local celebration and is a great way to stimulate the local economy and encourage tourism.
The festival is all about the sampaguita, a small white flower that smells amazing. You’ll see it everywhere, on floats, in costumes, and even woven into garlands sold on the street. San Pedro is proud of its connection to the flower, and you can really feel that during the celebration.
There’s a parade with students dancing in colourful outfits, bands playing upbeat music, and floats covered in fresh sampaguita blooms. Local schools and groups join in, and the streets fill with people just enjoying the moment.
The whole city taking part is really what makes it. Food stalls pop up with home-cooked favourites, neighbours hang decorations, and there are small contests and events all over town. There’s even a Sampaguita Queen crowned every year.
[Photo by Spike Cuizon]
