Las Piñas Waterlily Festival: Celebrating Sustainability and Innovation

Spearheaded by the Villar Foundation Las Piñas City celebrated its 18th Waterlily Festival, reaffirming its continued commitmen to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and community empowerment.

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A Festival Born from Purpose

Launched in 2005 under the Sagip Ilog program led by former Senator Cynthia Villar, the festival began as an effort to rehabilitate the Las Piñas and Zapote Rivers and address the water hyacinth problem. Since then, it has evolved into a vibrant celebration of local creativity

Turning Problem into Craft

Beyond ecological restoration, it has spurred the growth of barangay-based livelihood enterprises. Dried, dyed, and woven into handicrafts, harvested water lilies provide livelihood that uplift and empower local communities. With its own rivers now free of overgrowth, Las Piñas continues its craft by sourcing water lilies from neighboring cities, turning what was once a problem into a symbol of creativity and sustainable enterprise.

Rehabilitating the River System