Guimaras opens bigger Manggahan Festival

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The province of Guimaras officially opened the 34th Manggahan Festival today, May 15, promising a sweeter, bigger, and more vibrant celebration centered on the island’s world-famous mangoes.

One of the festival’s main attractions, “Mango Eat-All-You-Can,” will feature about 18 metric tons of mangoes this year, five metric tons more than last year, according to Provincial Agriculturist Arvin Nava.

Festivalgoers can enjoy unlimited mangoes for PHP 100 within 30 minutes, with the activity extended until around 7 p.m. every weekend.

Gov. Lucille Nava said staple events, such as cultural presentations, the music festival, and the Miss Guimaras pageant, will return this year alongside enhanced and newly introduced activities aimed at elevating the festival experience.

To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, vessel trips between Iloilo and Jordan have been extended until 2 a.m., while additional sea trips may be deployed if needed.

The provincial government allotted PHP 40 million for this year’s celebration.