ALFONSO CAVITE "THE MOST PEACEFUL TOWN AND THE RISE OF AGRITOURISM".
Cavite is known for being called “The City of Brave” because many heroes came from this province. It is also known for having many tourist spots and attractions to enjoy, which makes it a favorite province of many local tourist especially if you are from Manila. Cavite is composed of 16 municipalities but not all of them are known just like any other provinces. This province hides many treasures and that includes Alfonso; it is an upland town situated at the south-western portion of the Cavite province. It is not recognizable by people because it is 74 kilometers away from Manila. But did you know that it is once called The Most Peaceful Town in the province of Cavite and not only does it have many tourist spots to be proud about, but it is also agriculturally rich because it is also called the Flower Center of upland Cavite because of the six major flower farms located here. Because of the cool climate, the quiet place and order conditions with basic amenities present a wholesome environment that make Alfonso attractive to visitors and investors. You see, this town will always give you the “feel at home” feeling and not only could it be an escape because of its rural aura, the allure of this place simply comes with an approachable smile from the citizens that lives here.
In Alfonso, people celebrate the “Sanghiyang Festival” which is known as a thanksgiving ritual; it came from two Tagalog words “Isa” (0ne) and “hiyang” (compatibale), meaning, compatible whole or “nagkakaisang kabuuan”, because the essence of the Festival is to show the compatibility and unity of the people inside the town. One ritual includes “Sayaw sa Apoy” or Dance on Fire to show how people in Alfonso could still show their flexibility and unity in times of hardships. As of today, the citizens of the municipality of Alfonso still honors and respect this Festival and is still a town that shows regards to the Church and the creator; the church, Saint John Nepomuceno, is still an active house of prayer.
Not only does this town shows how it can be like the other famous towns in the province by the history, but it is also a town full of delicious delicacies that will surely be a favorite to tourists. First is the famous Tablea de Alfonso which comes from fully ripped cacao fruit which is abundant in the town of Alfonso. It is famous for its unique taste and is best used in Champorados and Chocolates. Next is the Kape Alamid or Coffee Civet which is a partially digested coffee cherries, eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet or the wild alamid. It is one of the most expensive coffee beans in the Philippine, but you can buy it in a lower price in the town of Alfonso. Next is the Palutang which is made out of ground sweet rice and is considered as the very versatile, symbolic and valuable native food in the town of Alfonso. Lastly, is the Maruya or the Fried Ground Malagkit. It is made out of sticky dough with little sugar. They sometimes add banana or jackfruit. The pure one is more commonly used as an offering during a ritual called SANGHIYANG.
As we can see, Alfonso is an insignificant and somehow unrecognizable to many people, but as you go to the place and see, it is one of the treasures that the province or the Philippines itself should treasure because even though it is unnoticed yet, a little could go a long way someday and what will always matter is how this small town will always give a recline feeling to the people especially when they already see the arch that says “Welcome to Alfonso” for it will always be the home that will give comfort, acceptance and enjoyment to many people.
ABOUT:
The Municipality of Alfonso is located in the high value and productive agricultural zone. The cool climate of the municipality, the favourable peace and order conditions with basic amenities present a wholesome environment that make Alfonso attractive to visitors and investors. Although it is considered as an agricultural community, its proximity to Tagaytay City, a well –known tourist destination in the country, highly influenced the development trend in the area.
For the past years, tourism related activities are taking place in the locality particularly those involved in cut flower production, which is considered not only as high earner agricultural crop but as tourist attraction as well. Tourism destination areas like golf courses, condominium cum hotel, resorts, restaurants and other tourism facilities, were constructed in the Municipality thereby paving the way to development of Alfonso as an agro-tourism area.