All roads lead to the Province of Guimaras this May as the festival showcasing the sweetest mangoes kicked off on April 29, 2023 with wide array of activities dubbed as “Imbukada”.
Now on its 30th year, Manggahan Festival is having its sweet comeback after being in hiatus for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The month-long festivities kicked off with a grand caravan where delegates coming from the five municipalities of the province converged to the Provincial Capitol grounds.
“Imbukada” was also highlighted by the opening of the Agri-Fishery Eco-Tourism Expo where 79 local producers and entrepreneurs gathered to showcase their products.
Also on display are other produce of Guimaras and popular destinations in the province.
Governor JC Rahman A. Nava, MD; Congresswoman Ma. Lucille L. Nava, MD; and Vice Governor Atty. John Edward G. Gando together with the five mayors of the municipalities led the cutting of ribbon to open the expo.
The governor then officially open the annual festival dubbed as the sweetest in the country as it features the sought-after mangoes of Guimaras.
The nine candidates for Miss Guimaras were likewise presented during the opening program.
Activities for the first day of the celebration also include the opening of art exhibit, dance sport competition and live band with Tropa Vibes Band set to perform from 9 p.m. onwards.
Manggahan Festival events will take place every weekend to take advantage of the influx of tourists in the island every Saturdays and Sundays.
The most awaited part of the festival, the Mango-Eat-All-You-Can, will return from May 19-22 which is also the highlight of Manggahan Festival.
The Provincial Office for Agriculture Services has allotted 10 tonnes of mangoes for the Mango-Eat-All-You-Can where guests can feast on unlimited number of mangoes for Php 150.00 within 30 minutes.
Other activities that will add color to this year’s celebration are battle of the bands, cook-off challenge, bike fest, street dance battle, job fair, color fun run with celebrity guests, folk dance competition, and dog show.
The Provincial Government has also prepared for sports enthusiasts who will come to Manggahan. There is water sports and jet ski showcase, jiu-jitsu, basketball where the Philippine Basketball League will play, and a volleyball tournament.
Nightly entertainment will feature different OPM rock bands. The celebration ends on May 22 in conjunction with the 31st anniversary of Guimaras becoming a province.
A thanksgiving mass will be offered before the provincehood anniversary program.
Five competing “hubons” from the municipalities and a non-competing group from Guimaras State University will showcase the rich culture and history of Guimaras in the Manggahan Cultural Competition.
A fireworks display will be held at the Capitol grounds to be followed by performances of two big OPM rock bands: Rivermaya and Mayonnaise on the last night of the festival.
REF: INFORMATION SECTION-OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
