MITCH M. LIPA
The Century-Leaf Garden, the newest attraction introduced in last week’s 15th Limpio Verde Festival of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental, is becoming the new escapade site for travelers and local tourists.
With the majestic Mount Kanlaon as backdrop and a wide array of endemic species of plants and flowers, the Garden was a hit, particularly among plantitos and plantitas.
La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said the newly-established tourism site in the Mandayao Panorama View in Barangay Mansalanao, which is now the home of the Limpio Verde Festival, is an alternative escapade for Negrosanons.
Visitors grouped in batches to comply with health protocols toured the Mandayao Panorama Area on Friday, the last day of the festival, and the Garden has become an alternative site for events and pictorials.
The Garden boasts of 13 mini-gardens shaped as leaves and representing the 13 barangays of the town, with the residents tasked to design and beautify each leaf.
The new home of Limpio Verde is expected to be recognized as the new place for hangouts, with cafes and eateries to be set up along the road leading to the newest destination.
Meanwhile, Barangay Cabacungan “leaf” was adjudged the most beautiful garden in category A or among the big barangays.
Barangays Sag-ang and Robles won as second and third place, respectively.
For category B, the leaf garden of host Barangay Mansalanao won as most beautiful design and develop garden, followed by Barangay Camandag in second place, Barangay Talaptap – third, Barangay Cabagnaan – fourth, and Barangay Nato – fifth.
The town officials also recognized the first Limpio Verde events held in the area, like the Zumba held at the foot of the volcano, and the first bike race which gave the bikers new and exciting trails.
Mangilimutan added that this is just the start of her plans to develop the 3.6 hectares donated by the Infante Family, of the 56-hectare property approved for agricultural tourism development. – MML
