Celebrating the sweet life

Camiguin readies up for 45th Lanzones Festival


At a glance

  • Camiguin’s lanzones is known for its distinct sweetness. Agriculturists are said to believe this is due to the rich, volcanic soil present on the island mixed with the generous amounts of rainfall and sunshine, plus a healthy intercropping system of coconut and lanzones trees.


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DANCE AWAY Dancers take part of the Lanzones Festival street dancing competition

Known as the Lanzones Capital of the Philippines, Camiguin is set to hit a milestone as it readies itself for the 45th edition of its famed Lanzones Festival. Celebrated every third week of October, this year’s festival is set to take place from Oct. 20 to 27.

 

Although lanzones is produced in other parts of the country, and even in neighboring countries, Camiguin’s lanzones is known for its distinct sweetness. Agriculturists are said to believe this is due to the rich, volcanic soil present on the island mixed with the generous amounts of rainfall and sunshine, plus a healthy intercropping system of coconut and lanzones trees.

 

For this year’s festivities, Camiguin governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo shares how the weeklong event will show the island’s rich culture, vibrant community spirit, and its natural wonders. On Oct. 20, a grand parade of street dancers and contingent floats will kick things off. An evening concert will also take place with performances by Oh! Caraga, Maki, Angela Ken, and Nameless Kids to rock the night away. There will also be the Ugmad Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade Fair, which will display municipal and institutional booths featuring their products and tourist attractions, and the Daos Ki: Festival Food Bazaar, where guests can feast on mouth-watering street food.

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CREATIVE WONDERS One of the float parades spotted during the festival

Other events include the annual Festival King, Queen, and Diwata Showdown along with the Mutya sa Buahanan Coronation Night on Oct. 24, and the Inter-Agency Street Dancing and Ground Presentation Competition on Oct. 26. Swaying to the native kulintang and percussion instruments, participants will render the Sajaw Kinamigin, which infuses ethnic tribal music from lumad Manobo, Bagobo, Subanen, and T’boli Indigenous folk.

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HAVE A TASTE Camiguin is referred to as the Lanzones Capital of the Philippines due to the distinct sweetness of the island's lanzones fruit

Guests will also be able to sample the sweet lanzones for themselves by visiting the municipal and barangay halls. Finally, aside from the festivities, visitors can also enjoy their time in Camiguin by visiting local tour destinations like 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. For those with a heart for an underwater adventure, you can also go scuba diving at the island’s several dive sites.