A Mango feast-ival

MANILA, Philippines - The mango, the Philippines’ national fruit, is a treat that everyone enjoys. It is a wonder fruit of sorts and can be enjoyed on its own or in dishes both sweet and savory.

Whether sweet and ripe or tart and sour, mangoes are always on every Filipino dining table.

They are a must-try for foreign visitors who always remember fondly the delicious fruit and the happy memories of the country where it came from.

Fittingly, there is a whole festival revolving around this celebrated fruit.

The Mango Festival, held in Iba, Zambales, is a celebration of a bountiful harvest of mangoes and other agricultural products which the province is known for.

The yearly celebration was created to highlight the mango industry and show the provincial government’s support to farmers, but the festival not only promotes the mango industry in Zambales, but also its culture and natural beauty, including the pristine beaches of the province.

The festival aims to highlight the must-see attractions and places of interest in all the towns of Zambales.

Among the activities during the event are the Hataw Saya street dancing competition, trade fairs and exhibits, the PINAKA product display, sand sculpting competitions, Binibining Zambales, and sticking to the theme: mango mixing bartending competition, mango ultimate dance showdown, mango jam and pie making, and more.

With the province’s richness in natural wonders, as well as its cultural and historical heritage, Zambales beaches have been overflowing every summer with visitors.

It is now one of the favorite tourist destinations in Central Luzon, with local and foreign tourists alike enjoying the sand and surf, and savoring the province’s delicious mangoes. Life is sweet!