Dinamulag Festival 2017, the biggest and most colorful celebration for bountiful harvest of the country’s sweetest mango, officially kicked off yesterday, April 4, at the People’s Park in Iba, Zambales.
Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso said the celebration is a way of showing appreciation for the bountiful agricultural harvests, especially the province’s pride and one of the world’s renowned sweetest mango which is a favorite among tourists and locals alike.
“Zambales is noted, not only because it is being blessed with the cleanest and endless beaches in the country, but also for producing among the sweetest mangoes in the world, our pride and very own Dinamulag,” Deloso said.
The week-long celebration officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the People’s Park which houses the LGU Showcase and Trade Fair where the best Zambales delicacies can be found for “pasalubong.”
The festival showcases the iconic gold-peel mango harvests in its pure sweet aroma, or the green and crunchy manibalang “kinalabaw,” and the wide variety of mango by-products such as candies, sweets, jams, etc. There are also booths selling other products of the province.
Meanwhile, the week-long celebration is a full-packed event as the Provincial Tourism Office and the office of lawyer Izelle Iamly Deloso, chairperson of the Dinamulag Festival 2017, have lined up activities that would make the tourists’ visit worthwhile.
The festival opening was also highlighted by a float parade and competition, which started from the Iba Airport to the People’s Park, and was followed by the marching band exhibition.
But the excitement did not stop there because at 8 p.m., the beauties and muses of the 13 municipalities of the province vying for the title Binibining Zambales 2017 were presented during the Talent Night Competition.
Zambales 2nd District Cong. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, who sponsored medals and trophies for all events, and Vice Go. Angel Magsaysay said that today (April 5) will be for fun run lovers, bayle dancing or curious about native Zambales delicacy.
The fun run kicks-off at 6 a.m., at the Peoples’ Park; while at 4 p.m., the crowd can watch the contestants swing and sway at the Bayle Zambales Street Dancing Parade and Showdown at the Zambales Sports Complex. They can also learn to cook the favorite delicacies of Zambales at the Zambales Cookfest at 6 p.m. at the People’s Park.
The contestants will also participate in the Laro ng Lahi (Huli Mo, Biik Mo, Palo Sebo, Pashyutan Ha Lubon, Archery) and Pet Show to be held at the Peoples’ Park; while sports lovers can watch the Inter-Agency Beach Volleyball Competition at the Bangantalinga Beach Stretch to be followed by a Zamba Tuklas Talento 2017 on Thursday, April 6.
Beach lovers can also enjoy the festival on Friday (April 7) as most of the events for this day will be held at theBangatalinga Beach Stretch starting at 8 a.m., with the Likhang Buhangin Sand and Sculpting Competition, Inter-Agency Beach Volleyball Competition and the Mr. and Ms. Body Beautiful Competition; enliven your driving crave at the Car Show and Exhibit at the Peoples’ Park.
Culminating the festival is the Binibining Zambales 2017 Coronation Night to be held 7 p.m. at the People’s Park followed by a fireworks display.