The Lanzones festival is a celebration which happens on every 3rd week of October, usually on the weekends in the town of Mambajao, at the beautiful island of Camiguin. This is celebrated just in time when the lanzones fruits are on its season. Lanzones are tropical fruits which are small, round, sweet and yellow. The lanzones are common only to north-central coast of Mindanao and the sweetest can be found nowhere else but in Camiguin.
The Lanzones festival has been said to start when a local couple invited people from a neighboring barrio to celebrate a thanksgiving ritual with them. The thanksgiving was done a year after the couple did a ritual to please a fairy who lives in a Lanzones tree. The fairy was responsible for granting the couple a child whom they wished from the lanzones tree fairy but because the couple weren't able to thank the fairy, the fairy made the child sick. The ritual saved their child and since that day, the celebration has been done annually from then on recreating the ceremonies done by Camiguin's forefathers thanking the gods for the blessings bestowed on them.
Why do I want to experience and join the festival?
This year's
Lanzones festival, as posted in Camiguin's official
website,will have an Agro-Industrial Technology trade fare, search for the Queen of the Lanzones Festival , some ballroom dancing and singing contests, a Mutya sa Buahanan (Miss Camiguin Tourism) Beauty Pageant, a tableau competition of local culture, a grand parade and street dancing of the Lanzones fruits, and San Miguel October Fest.
These are some of the many reasons why I want to go check out the Lanzones festival this October. Even without the activities and festivities, Camiguin is an island that can best compete with Boracay's finest beaches minus the hoards of tourists and business establishments. Here you will really enjoy your relationship with nature. Among Camiguin's famous natural attractions are:
SUNKEN CEMETERY
OLD CATARMAN CHURH RUINS
MANTIGUE ISLAND
MT. HIBOK-HIBOK
Camiguin has been known as the island "Born of Fire" having seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes. Aside from the mentioned natural attractions mentioned above, I'd also want to visit some famous resorts and water attractions like the Katibawasan and Tuasan Falls, Sto. Niño's Cold Spring and Ardent Hot Spring.
Tourists wouldn't have a hard time finding a place to stay in Camiguin for the island has hotels and restaurants just about everywhere.
Camiguin's website is also very helpful having all the list of places to stay and eat plus the amenities and facilities plus their rates are also listed.
I would very much love to visit Camiguin. I have been here way back November 2006 but I just tagged alog her friend and her family that I was only able to soak in Camiguin's sun and beach in the town of Catarman, no more, no less, but definitely wanting more...
Experience MassKara Festival, Hermosa Festival and Lanzones Festival this October. Airphil Express flies daily to BACOLOD, ZAMBOANGA and CAGAYAN DE ORO from Cebu and Manila. Visit www.airphilexpress.com to book!
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