The island province of Guimaras is synonymous to its sweet-tasting mango, and for good reason. This once-obscure territory across mainland Iloilo was just a vast mango orchard land, which yields export-quality harvests of the country’s national fruit.
To mark its first founding anniversary as an independent province, it honored its famed tropical fruit. Thus, Manggahan Festival was born in 1993 and put to the fore its mango industry and rich cultural heritage.
Guimaras was declared a subprovince of Iloilo in 1966, and proclaimed a full-fledged province on May 22, 1992, after the townsfolk ratified Republic Act 7160 in a plebiscite.
Now on its 25th edition, this year’s festivities, themed “Bugana: Celebrating the Silver Glory of Manggahan Festival,” kicked off with a bang on May 11 with a street-dancing competition, agri-trade tourism fair, the Mango Chandelier and ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Caravan.
According to Gov. Samuel Gumarin, the celebration aims to position Guimaras as the agri- and ecotourism capital of the Western Visayas region with its sprawling farms and natural wonders.
Fringe events included the Mango Eat All You Can contests, Amazing Guimarace, concerts and entertainment shows, and sporting events, which include the Tour de Guimaras, the Philippine Downhill Series and the fourth Gov. Gumarin Motocross Challenge.
The two-week feast culminates on May 22 with the 26th Provincial Founding Anniversary parade, cultural competition and the Sinadya sa Capitol cultural awarding.
For beach bums, Alobijod Cove in Nueva Valencia is the province’s most popular beachfront, with its powdery sand and clear water. Framed by jagged rock formations, it is dotted by homey resorts and serves as the jump-off point for island hopping.
It is also the jump-off point to the Seafdec Marine Park, which breeds species of fish to repopulate the fishing grounds. Funded by Southeast Asian countries, it offers a unique tour to help visitors appreciate the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem.
A must-try is the Suba Malawig Eco-Tour, a community-based program organized by the members of the barangay—from the guides and boatmen to the performers and homestays.
Lending a touch of luxury amid the rustic setting is the upscale 70-room Andana Resort, a Mediterranean-inspired hotel, which offers a mesmerizing vista of the coves and outlying in Alobihod beach area and will be the best accommodation in the island.
Guests can get their dose of adrenaline at Camp Alfredo in Sibunag with its 375-meter zipline, obstacle course, hanging bridge and adventure facilities. Others can simply laze at the camping grounds, feast on Ilonggo dishes or go fishing at the lagoon for a back-to-basics experience.
In Jordan town a must-visit is the Trappist Monastery, the country’s first monastery for men whose main come-on is the souvenir shop containing crafts and mango food products produced by the monks.
Balaan Bukid, literally meaning “Holy Mountain,” is a pilgrimage site for Catholic devotees. Along the climb is the Stations of the Cross, and on its summit is the Chapel of Ave Maria Purisima and a big, white cross.
It is the endpoint of the Pagtaltal sa Guimaras passion play held on Good Friday. An Instagram-worthy spot is the San Lorenzo Wind Farm, a 54-megawatt windmill energy project that has become a tourist magnet because of its breathtaking view, especially at sunset.
Buenavista takes pride in Navalas Church, which has preserved its Spanish-era façade. On the town’s far end is Roca Encantada, the historic hilltop summer mansion of the prominent Lopez family built in 1910 which has a refreshing panorama of the Siete Pecados island chain.