Largest banana unveiled in Zamboanga fiesta

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  –Visitors could not initially believe their eyes, but the largest banana species in the world took center stage at a fair here Friday as the city kicked off its month-long religious Fiesta Pilar.

The huge banana - locally known as tandok – was part of the agri and aqua fair of the city agriculture office that showcased all local harvest at the historical Plaza Pershing.

Measuring 14 to 15 inches long and four inches in circumference, the tandok bananas dwarfed the other bananas on display.

Edwin Apolinario, resident of Lapakan village and owner of the giant bananas, said they are still trying to determine the market of tandok.

Apolinario, 42, said a tandok tree has only around three branches, with 13 or so giant bananas per branch because of its heavy weight.

He said this type of banana grows in the highlands where the weather is cool and in rotten or charred wood trees.

City agriculture officer Diosdado Palacad said they are not sure if this banana variety can also be found in other parts of the country or if it is the biggest banana in the world.

He said, however, that while the giant banana was an attraction, it has no market because of its taste.

“Compared to the common bananas like the lakatan, solay baguio, bonggolan and latundan which are sweet and can be eaten when ripe, the tandok is only good when cooked or nilaga (boiled),” he said.

Palacad said the tandok is rich in potassium.