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GUIMARAS: Island of the Sweetest Mangoes in the Philippines
Guimaras is an Island Province that is located in Western Visayas Region, it is know for its sweetest mangoes in the whole Philippines and even in some parts of the world. Manggahan festival is an annual event that is held every second to third week of May. This festival not only aims to showcase the mangoes but it also promotes tourist spots and historical sites on the island.
In roaming around the island, you can hail a habal-habal (800 Php), tricycle (1500 Php), or multi-cab (2000 Php) to show you around. The island is small and all you need to have is a one whole day to finish it. I visited every place in the island has to offer but I did not stay long in each location because I only allotted one day for Guimaras and I can't wait to see and be one with locals in the celebration of their annual festival.
The festival was held on the capital of the island, and you can see everywhere that the event was well planned by the local government. The booths around the town plaza, the buntings, the cultural presentations and many more! And if you're looking for mangoes, its is all around the town plaza they even have unlimited mangoes for only Php 150, yes Php 150! you can choose if you want to eat the ripe or the green one or you can choose both.
They even invited other province in Western Visayas to present during the culminating activity. I was very happy that time because I never thought that it is possible to see five cultural presentation during Manggahan Festival. I was stunned and amazed for all the cultural presentations of the whole Western Visayas namely the Maskara Festival), Dinagyang Festival, Ati-Atihan Festival, Tinukot Festival and the Manggahan Festival Presentation.
The province may not be on top of the tourist attractions in the country but I'm sure it's a must visit place, experience their festival and be one with the locals is for you to experience the real beauty of the island. The perfect equation for my trip to the province would be MANGOES + PEOPLE + BEAUTIFUL PLACE = GREAT ADVENTURE! Just remember the LNT principle upon visiting to preserve the area .
Have you tasted the sweet mangoes of Guimaras? I'm happy if you'll share your experience with me. Feel free to message me.