Believe
it or not, but these products you see
are all made from WATER HYACINTH, a
free-floating perennial aquatic plant that is native to tropical and sub-tropical
South America. This wondrous plant bears
lily-like flower which has moved locals to call it water lily.
The Water Hyacinth Weaving Enterprise pioneered
by the VILLAR FOUNDATION led
by its Managing Director CYNTHIA
VILLAR has
been providing livelihood to over 200 families.
Mrs. Villar has been working tirelessly to promote this Livelihood Skills Program, giving vast opportunities not only to entrepreneurs all over the country but more importantly extending to people the knowledge and skills provided by the foundation's Water Lily Weaving Project.
The response is over-whelming as many groups and individuals alike have undergone training with the Villar Foundation.
(Former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar and Congressman Mark Villar at
the Water Lily Weaving Center)
Follow @VFoundationInc on Twitter
Now on its 7th year, the Water Lily Festival held last Thursday, July 19 at Carnival Court, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City highlighted Filipino ingenuity providing an avenue for Las Piñeras and Las Piñeros to showcase skills, resourcefulness, creativity, and yes…beauty.
The event was featured at GMA-7's UNANG HIRIT. Musical
performances from Manunugtog
Kawayan and other local artists set the festive mood. On display were water lily products, but more interestedly, actual weaving was demonstrated.
Street Dancing Competition
participated by the different Barangays showcased bright colorful costumes and great
dancing moves.
The festival has gained attention from different sectors and is fast becoming popular in the likes of Sinulog, Ati-Atihan, etc.
The Fluvial Parade
proved how successful the industry has become.
As Mrs. Cynthia
Villar has put it, “Zapote
River is now free of water lilies and fish have begun breeding here again. We
are now getting our water lilies from the Laguna de Bay, and I hope the lake
will also be cleared of water lilies because of this business.”
The
highlight of the annual festival is the search for the year’s Miss Las Piñas
Water Lily. The Barangays of Las Piñas fielded its own candidate, 19 in all joined the Pre-Pageant held last July 17.
The gowns were created by
known designers such Noli Hans as well as the barangay residents
themselves.
The
winners of Miss Las Piñas Water Lily become Ambassadresses of the
City and will
represent the beauty of the city as well as its environmental and livelihood
programs such as the United Nations (UN) award-winning river rehabilitation or Sagip Ilog Program—a
brainchild of Mrs. Villar.
Las Piñas Miss Waterlily 2012 Search: Grand winner Lyra Velchez of Barangay Manuyo;
First Runner-up Angelica Prieto of Barangay Talon 2;
and Second Runner-up Lady Ann Erlano of Brgy. BF International/CAA.
*****
Today,
the water lily handicraft business is at its peak. There are no limits in terms of marketing
these products. It is a profitable
business. On top of which, it provides
an avenue for Filipino ingenuity to shine.
The
Water Lily Festival was truly a success!
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