Press Release - Villar C: Las Piñas holds 17th Waterlily Festival

Following its commitment to reinforce taking care of and conserving the environment, Las Piñas held its Waterlily Festival again, now in its 17th year.

Through the festival, its founder, Senator Cynthia Villar, wants to continue instilling awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability for future generations.

"Through this Waterlily Festival, we are able to showcase the city's deep love for the environment as a giver of life and livelihood," stressed Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

The celebration of the 17th Las Piñas Waterlily Festival on August 6, 2024, was staged at the Villar Coliseum, Las Piñas City.

The highlight of the festival was the announcement of the winners of the Ms. Waterlily Pageant 2024 and the "Sayaw Kabataan para sa Kalikasan."

The Ms Waterlily 2024 was awarded to Lois Vivien Garce from Brgy. Talon 5 taking home a crown, sash, trophy and a cash prize of P30,000.

The other winners are; Irish Silades from Brgy. Almanza Dos whon won the 1st prize, and she got a trophy,sash and P20,000 cash. The 2rd runner -up went to Micha Selena Rayo of on the Brgy.Zapote. She received a sash,trophy and P10,000 cash.

Designer Nash Leeho who created the gown of Ms Talon 5 grabbed the Best Designer award and received P10,000 cash prize from Villar.

The winners in dancing competition and their prizes were : Brgy Elias Aldana, grand champion which got trophy and P30,000 cash; Brgy Talon Singko,first runner-up with trophy and P20,000 cash and Brgy. Pilar with trophy and P10,000 cash.

Barangay Talon singko was also awarded for Best in Costume and received P10,000 cash prize.

Special awards were also given to Barangays Talon Uno, Manuyo Uno, BF International/CAA, and Ilaya, which each received a P5,000 cash prize.

The contestants in the beauty pageant and dancing competition all dressed in costumes made from water lilies and other recyclable materials.

For many years, waterlilies caused flooding in Las Piñas until Villar, then Las Pinas Representative, started the "Sagip Ilog Program" to rehabilitate the Las Pinas-Zapote River. Truckloads of waterlilies collected were then turned into baskets, trays,