FEATURE
GONZAGA, Cagayan – Rising 23.6 feet into the sky and built from 7,311 freshly harvested pineapples, a towering pineapple effigy has become the pride of Gonzaga as the municipality officially soft-launched its first-ever Pineapple Festival on July 28, marking a milestone in the town's growing agricultural story.
Displayed at the Gonzaga Town Hall, the giant pineapple immediately captured the attention of residents and visitors alike. More than just an eye-catching attraction, the structure symbolizes the hard work of local farmers whose dedication has steadily transformed pineapple farming into one of Gonzaga's most promising agricultural industries.
Measuring approximately 7.2 meters (23.6 feet) in height and 5 meters in diameter, the massive effigy was constructed entirely from freshly harvested pineapples produced by local growers, showcasing both the abundance and quality of the municipality's harvest.
The festival marks the beginning of what local officials hope will become an annual tradition celebrating Gonzaga's expanding pineapple industry while giving well-deserved recognition to the farmers who continue to drive its growth.
During a press conference with the News and Features of Cagayan Valley, Mayor Mayor Rellie S. Dalmaceda said the municipality's pineapple industry has grown rapidly in just a few years.
From only two farmers cultivating four hectares of land in Barangay Santa Clara in 2022, Gonzaga has expanded to 54.05 hectares planted with pineapples. The area is expected to exceed 80 hectares by August as more farmers venture into pineapple production and additional varieties are introduced.
The Municipal Agriculture Office also reported that Gonzaga's Smooth Cayenne pineapples are already attracting buyers from the Ilocos Region and Isabela. Depending on size, the fruits sell for ₱15, ₱25, and ₱35 each, providing farmers with an expanding market and creating new opportunities for income and employment within the municipality.
For local officials, the giant pineapple is more than a festival centerpiece—it represents Gonzaga's vision of becoming one of Northern Luzon's emerging pineapple-producing towns. They hope the annual celebration will attract more visitors, open new markets for local products, and further strengthen support for the municipality's agricultural sector.
The festival's announcement earlier this month generated discussion on social media after some netizens compared it with Pudtol, Apayao's long-established Pinya Festival. The debate intensified when a Facebook post claimed Gonzaga's giant pineapple would "beat" Pudtol's iconic display.
Despite the online comparisons, many netizens later called for unity, noting that both municipalities deserve recognition for promoting pineapple farming and honoring the farmers whose livelihoods depend on the crop. For Gonzaga, the towering pineapple now stands not as a symbol of rivalry, but as a tribute to the community's growing agricultural success and the people who continue to cultivate it.
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