JORDAN, Guimaras — All roads lead to the province of Guimaras this May as the festival showcasing the worlds sweetest mangoes kicked off on Friday.
Now on its 25th year, the annual Manggahan Festival has improved, said Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin.
The governor said that preparations went on higher gear following the closure of Boracay.
With the theme “Bugana: Celebrating the Silver Glory of Maggahan Festival”, the month-long celebration shows how it has leveled up, already involving the province’s five municipalities.
Among the highlights are the “mango-eat-all-you-can”, where guests can eat as much as they want for the price of PHP120 for 30 minutes. They can also choose between ripe and green mangoes with “bagoong” (shrimp paste).
Provincial Agriculturist Ronnie Morante said that they have prepared some 16.1 metric tons for the “eat-all-you-can”, higher when compared with the 9.5 metric tons last year.
Friday’s kick off was also highlighted by the opening of the Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair where producers and entrepreneurs gathered to showcase their best products.
Displaying prominently as their centerpiece are tons of green and ripe mangoes being sold to interested buyers.
The exhibit also displays other produce of Guimaras and popular destinations in the province.
The 25th Manggahan Festival has also included in its list of activities the invitational cultural presentation where four festivals to include Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival; Masskara Festival of Bacolod; Pintados de Passi of Passi City and Matagoan Festival of Tabuk, Kalinga will participate.
Other events are the 1st Rakrakan sa Manggahan Battle of the Bands, Motocross for International and National Riders, Manggahan Bike Fest and Painting Contest, among others.
The festival will culminate on May 22 that will also mark the 26th founding anniversary of the province of Guimaras. (PNA)
