KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Local plant enthusiasts and exhibitors took center stage recently as they showcased their most stunning and high-quality ornamental and fruit-bearing plants at the South Cotabato Plant Fair Competition, held at the South Cotabato Provincial Technical Center (Protech Center).
Maylin Delos Santos, the Plant Fair Competition Coordinator, emphasized that the event goes beyond simple competition, serving as an important avenue for sustainable education.
“The competition provided a timely platform for our local growers to showcase their high-quality plants,” Delos Santos stated. “More importantly, it aims to foster proper plant care practices and promote sustainable horticulture across the province of South Cotabato.”
The vibrant green exhibition is one of the highly anticipated highlights of this year’s milestone 60th Foundation Anniversary and 27th T’nalak Festival.
The competition featured five highly contested categories, drawing local growers and hobbyists from across the province:
- Anthurium Variegated
- Aglaonema Plant
- Best Potted Fruit-Bearing Plant
- Flowering Plant
- Philodendron Plant
All entries were meticulously evaluated by a panel of judges based on plant health, structure, quality, symmetry, and overall visual appeal.
To reward the hard work of the local growers, top entries in each category received cash prizes. The first-place winners took home ₱5,000, while the second and third-place winners bagged ₱3,500 and ₱2,500, respectively.
The plant displays and exhibit booths remain open at the Protech Center, offering festival-goers, green thumbs, and tourists alike a chance to appreciate and purchase some of the finest flora the province has to offer.
