PINYA VS. PINYA Bardagulan: Pudtol, Gonzaga lock horns over pinya pride

What started as the launch of a new municipal festival has unexpectedly turned into a juicy online showdown, with residents of Pudtol, Apayao, and Gonzaga, Cagayan exchanging opinions over their respective Pinya (Pineapple) Festivals.

The discussion, which quickly spread across social media, centered on questions of originality, local identity, and whether Gonzaga's newly introduced celebration drew inspiration from Pudtol's long-established festival. The debate highlighted how a single fruit has become the centerpiece of one of Northern Luzon's liveliest online conversations.

The juicy debate

The discussion began after the Municipality of Gonzaga unveiled preparations for its Giant Pineapple Monument and held the soft launch of its first-ever Pineapple Festival on July 25 as part of efforts to promote the town's agricultural industry and recognize the contributions of local pineapple farmers.

Shortly after photos and videos of the preparations circulated online, some social media users pointed out similarities between Gonzaga's giant pineapple landmark and the iconic pineapple displays long associated with Pudtol's annual Pinya Festival.

The debate intensified after a Facebook page, CSU-Gonzaga Paragon, posted that Gonzaga's giant pineapple would "beat" the one in Pudtol, prompting reactions from residents of Apayao who viewed the comparison as unnecessary and disrespectful.

Screenshots of the post were widely shared even after it was reportedly edited, leading many Pudtol residents to defend what they described as one of their municipality's most recognizable cultural symbols.

"LOOK: LGU Gonzaga builds a 7-meter-tall pineapple structure, eyes breaking Apayao's record. A giant pineapple structure at the Gonzaga Municipal Hall caught the attention of passersby this afternoon as the Local Government Unit (LGU) aims to surpass the record for the 3,918-pineapple sculpture set by Apayao this year," the page wrote in its now-deleted post.

Meanwhile, many iPudtols argued that the landmark has become an important part of the municipality's heritage since the festival was established, saying:

"Our Giant Pineapple is not just a statue—it is our pride, culture, and identity."

Others, however, urged both sides to remain calm, emphasizing that pineapple festivals are not exclusive to any one municipality.

Supporters of Gonzaga argued that their town has cultivated pineapples for many years and has every right to celebrate one of its major agricultural products. Several residents stressed that the festival was created to honor local farmers—not to compete with neighboring towns.

"I hope my fellow Gonzaganians won't focus on this issue. Instead, let us celebrate our new festival because it shows that our community continues to grow and improve," one resident wrote.

Others also pointed out that pineapple festivals have existed in different parts of the Philippines and even abroad long before either municipality launched its own celebration.

The story behind the festivals

Pudtol's Pinya Festival was officially launched in 2014 as the municipality's flagship celebration, recognizing its thriving pineapple industry while promoting local tourism.

Over the years, it has become known for its massive pineapple displays made from thousands of locally harvested fruits, along with street dancing, cultural presentations, trade fairs, and agricultural exhibitions celebrating Pudtol's identity as one of Apayao's leading pineapple-producing municipalities.

Gonzaga, meanwhile, officially introduced its Pineapple Festival in 2026. The celebration also marked the unveiling of the town's giant pineapple monument, which quickly became the center of the online discussion.

Several residents also noted that celebrating pineapples is not unique to either municipality. The Pinyasan Festival in Daet, Camarines Norte has been celebrated since 1992 to promote the province's Queen Formosa pineapples, while the Gregory Town Pineapple Festival in the Bahamas dates back to 1987.

As the discussion continued online, many netizens from both provinces eventually urged the public to move beyond comparisons and instead celebrate the shared importance of pineapple farming in Northern Luzon.

For many observers, the debate has become less about who celebrated the fruit first and more about how local governments use festivals to promote agriculture, tourism, and community pride.

While opinions remain divided on social media, many residents agree on one thing: regardless of where it is grown, the pineapple remains a symbol of the hard work, livelihood, and resilience of Filipino farmers.