ORMOC CITY– The 2025 Piña Festival of Ormoc City dazzled spectators with more vibrant performances, elaborate costumes, and a renewed sense of cultural pride, marking a significant milestone in the city’s celebration of its iconic agricultural product — the pineapple or piña.
Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez(4th district) described this year’s festival as a “huge leap forward” in both quality and energy, citing the addition of professional coaches and choreographers who helped participating contingents elevate their artistry and execution.
“We made an investment in talent development, and the results were spectacular,” Gomez said.
Aside from improved performances, the prize pool was significantly increased, drawing more excitement and participation.
The grand champion, Pondok Sidlakan of the Eastern Visayas State University-Ormoc Campus, received a cash prize of P700,000. The first runner-up, Pundok Pinakabibong Kabataan of New Ormoc City National High School, took home P600,000, while Liloan National High School’s Pondok Mabuhangon placed second runner-up with P500,000.
Non-winning contingents were also recognized with P400,000 each as a token of appreciation for their participation and effort.
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez highlighted the deeper meaning of the festival, saying the event is not just a celebration of the pineapple as a product but a symbol of the Ormocanons’ perseverance, patience, and prosperity.
“The Piña Festival represents our unity, strength, and resilience as a people. The pineapple reflects who we are — thriving, fruitful, and grounded in hard work,” Torres-Gomez said in her message, as she thanked organizers, performers, and the entire community for their support.
First launched in 2018, the Piña Festival was conceptualized to honor Ormoc’s thriving pineapple industry, particularly the Queen Formosa variety, known for its distinct sweetness and quality. The festival has since evolved into a major cultural and tourism event, held annually in June as part of the city’s fiesta celebration.
What started as a local celebration has grown into a platform showcasing Ormoc’s creativity, agricultural pride, and community spirit, drawing both local and national attention.
As the curtains fall on the 2025 edition, officials say the Piña Festival continues to bear fruit not only for performers but for Ormoc’s identity and economy as well.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
