The province of Camiguin marked a new milestone in celebrating the sweet life with the recent 45th Lanzones Festival, one of the country’s longest-running cultural festivities.
The tourist event, which evokes the charming island lifestyle, is named after the tropical seasonal fruit which is reputed to be the sweetest variety in the archipelago.
This saccharine-tasting fruit is due to the generous amounts of rainfall and sunshine, the island’s volcanic nature and the healthy inter-cropping system of lanzones and coconut trees.
Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo said the weeklong fest showcased once again the rich culture, vibrant community spirit, and the natural wonders of the island province which has made it a top tourist-drawer in Mindanao.
He said that beyond the sweetness of the fruit and the merry-making, the festivities also showcased the growth and development of the province since its creation in 1966.
Festival highlights were the grand parade of street dancers and contingent floats, the Festival King and Queen and Diwata Showdown, the Danzones Inter-Agency Street Dance, and the Mutya sa Buahanan pageant.
Swaying to the native kulintang and percussion instruments, participants interpreted the Sajaw Kinamigin which infuses local folklore and ethnic tribal music from lumad Manobo, Bagobo, Subanen and T’boli indigenous peoples which have made the island their home.
Romualdo said that aside from the festival, Camiguin takes pride in its iconic destinations such as White Island Sandbar, Ardent Hibok Hibok Springs, Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Katibawasan and Kawasan Falls, Sunken Cemetery, Taguines Lagoon, the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross, and the Bonbon Church ruins complex, a National Museum National Cultural Treasure.
He added that visitors also explored Camiguin’s rich marine biodiversity which were featured in the recent Dive Northmin underwater photo competition of the Department of Tourism-Region 10. Most of the dive sites are located beneath Mantigue Island Natural Park in Mahinog town.
Spicing up the culinary scene are intimate home-grown specialty restaurants, cafes and bars spread across the island which are ideal for a food crawl.
Festival sidelights included the Ugmad Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade Fair which featured the municipal and institutional booths featuring their products and tourist attractions, the Daos Ki Food Bazaar, and a culinary competition showcasing the versatility of the lanzones.
Municipal and barangay halls added color and tropical vibe with their lanzones-themed adornments and free fruit samplings to local guests and tourists.
Visit Facebook pages Camiguin Tourism Office and Lanzones Festival for photos and videos.