The 23rd Bañamos Festival in Los Baños, Laguna province, celebrating the town’s 409th anniversary, will feature a range of new events designed to boost tourism and make young people engage in sports and creative activities from Sept. 17-22.

During a media conference at the municipal hall on Wednesday, Mayor Anthony Genuino said out of the 23 activities scheduled for the six-day festival, six are new and focused on environmental, cultural, and grassroots sports initiatives.

Among the new events are a flower and garden show aimed at celebrating the beauty of nature through floral displays and arrangement competition. Additionally, there will be a planting activity of various fruit-bearing trees.

Genuino also introduced the “Murals of Makiling” contest, which provides an opportunity for young artists to demonstrate their painting skills.

Likewise, there will be the Makiling Photography Contest themed “The Beauty and Nature of Los Baños, Laguna,” to be held at the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA), showcasing local talents.

In a new twist, the festival will also feature the “Padyak LB Kiddie Edition,” a cycling competition designed to encourage young children to engage in sports from an early age.

Another addition to this year’s festival is the Drone Light Show, scheduled to light up the sky with stunning visual effects at the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños Freedom Park on Sept. 21.

Genuino expressed confidence that this year’s festival will surpass last year’s attendance, which drew about 50,000 visitors, both local and international. He noted that bookings at approximately 190 resort hotels have been promising.

Looking ahead, the mayor anticipates that the completion of the Tourism Development Plan, which aims to identify and enhance additional tourist sites in the area, will further boost tourism and economic activities in the coming years. (PNA)