Unveiling the Delights of the 44th Lanzones Festival
The 44th Lanzones Festival, a celebration of Camiguin’s island lifestyle and the sweetness of life, will take place between Oct. 15-28, marking one of the longest-standing cultural festivals in the country.
Inspired by the renowned tropical fruit known for its exceptional sweetness, this year’s festival promises an extensive array of special events aimed at attracting visitors to the island during the post-pandemic period.
Themed “Caring for the Environment, Progress for All,” the two-week festivity, according to Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo, will showcase the rich culture, lively community spirit, and the natural wonders of the tropical island paradise.
Beyond the fruit’s sweetness and the lively dancing, the festival will also highlight the economic and developmental progress the province has achieved since becoming independent 50 years ago.
The festivities commence on Oct. 15 with a Thanksgiving Mass in the morning, followed by a grand parade, Ugmad Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade Fair, music and kabog showdown, and a grand opening night with inter-agency competition in the evening.
In a bid to promote environmental care, organizers are introducing the Trashure (Trash to Treasure) making competition and the Paksoy-Inspired Attire Making Competition and Showdown.
Key events include the Lanzones Festival King and Queen and the Mutya sa Buahanan on Oct. 20, and the inter-agency street dance competition on Oct. 21. Participants will perform the Sajaw Kinamigin, accompanied by drumbeats and indigenous kulintang music, incorporating ethnic music from the lumad indigenous peoples.
Additional events include the Lanzones Festival Extravaganza on Oct. 21, showcasing the fruit’s versatility as a delicacy, influenced by the island’s volcanic nature, unique inter-cropping system, and favorable weather conditions.
Various sectoral and socio-civic events, entertainment shows and concerts, Buahanan docufest, and handicraft exhibits will also enliven the festival.
Romualdo emphasized that this festival will be the first under the “Camiguin Isle be There” rebranding initiative launched last summer, along with the Clean Camiguin QR Code and Smart Tourism digitalization program, aimed at ensuring visitors’ safety on the island.
The festival offers an opportunity to showcase the island’s attractions, including White Island Sandbar, Ardent Hibok Hibok Springs, Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Katibawasan and Kawasan Falls, Sunken Cemetery, Taguines Lagoon, and the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross.
Other must-see attractions are the Bonbon Church ruins complex, designated as a National Cultural Treasure, and Mantigue Island Nature Park, recognized as a scuba diving spot in Mindanao by the Department of Tourism.
For the more adventurous, scaling the twin peaks of Mounts Hibok Hibok and Timpopong, both declared as Asean Heritage Parks, is a thrilling option. First-time visitors can obtain their QR code at www.cleancamiguinqr.com by providing basic information, a valid ID, and vaccination record for easy entry.
For event details and updates, visit the Facebook pages of the Camiguin Tourism Office and Lanzones Festival.