Sakura Trees in Full Bloom after a Decade
By: Dave Leprozo, Jr., photos by PjHaight
ATOK, BENGUET — Cherry Trees flowers in full bloom! A sight to behold after a decade of acclimatization in Sakura Park Paoay, Atok, Benguet on 26 August 2025.
PjHaight says, “Now Filipinos and tourists won’t need to book a flight to Japan to get a glimpse of this delicate flower as cherry blossom-producing trees have been planted at the Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park or commonly known as Sakura Park in Paoay, Atok, Benguet.”
The tree species from Japan were planted in commemoration of 40 years of strong ties between the province of Benguet and the Kochi prefecture of Japan in 2015. Over 60 Sakura trees were initially planted but only a few of them survived because it was not the right season, according to Pj. He adds that in 2016, 40 trees of two varieties of cherry blossom were added namely the Yakiwari Sakura, which bears pink flowers, and the Sindaya Sakura, which bear white blossoms. These were expected to bloom in 10 years.
Notedly, the Colorful blooms would last only for two weeks annually.
The Haight family provided, through a usufruct agreement, a portion of their land to establish Sakura Park which is an added attraction to Atok’s various places of interest. photos by PJ Haight
