By HENRY EMPEÑO

IBA, Zambales – Zambales opened the tourist season in this popular holiday destination with the launching on Saturday of this year’s edition of the annual Zambales Dinamulag Mango Festival, a week-long program of festivities that celebrates the province’s most renowned export, the “dinamulag” or carabao mango that is held as the most delicious in the world.

Iba Mayor Jun Rundstedt Ebdane and Provincial Administrator Izelle Deloso cut the ceremonial ribbon in the “Parayawan” Agri-tourism Showcase and Trade Fair at the capitol grounds in this town, to formally start this year’s festival.

Local tourism officials said they expect local and foreign tourists to join the events and activities lined up for the week.

The Iba Capitol, which was fully dressed-up in native decorations to symbolize the festival theme of thanksgiving for bountiful harvest, is the center of activities that combine traditional Zambal culture and modern entertainment.

Aside from the opening of the “Parayawan”, Saturday’s events included the First Zambales Motor Endurance Challenge, a marching band exhibition, the “Todo-Todo Décor my Tricycle” motorcade, and the start of the Bb. Zambales and Mr. Millennial competition.

The second day of the festival featured the “Zambayle” street-dancing contest, and the Acoustic Night entertainment show.

There will also be the “Laro ng Lahi” competition involving native Zambal Ayta tribesmen on Monday, as well as an invitational beach volleyball competition along Iba’s famous beach resort row; and a float parade and competition; the “Likhang Buhangin” sand-sculpting competition, Dinamulag Open Flair Tending Challenge, and a beach mardi gras on Tuesday.

Wednesday will see a parade of colorful tricycles in “Todo na TODA Biyaheng Makulay Tricycle Tour” and the “Zamba Tuklas Talento”, while Thursday events will include the much-awaited “Agri Karera ng Kalabaw,” “Pet Mo Bet Ko,” and the “Galing Zambaleno, Tatak Zambaleno” cultural presentation.

Friday highlights will be the “Dinamulag Tour” that will bring visitors around the province for a glimpse of local tourist destinations, and the Mr. Millennial Pageant Night taking place in the evening; while the “Picolets na Makulets” kids festival day, the Bb. Zambales coronation program and a fireworks display on Saturday night will cap this year’s Dinamulag Festival activities.

In her speech during the opening ceremonies, Provincial Administrator Izelle Deloso, who is also festival chaiman, stressed that the celebration is about giving thanks for the good harvest and blessings from God.

She said the event was made possible with the all-out support from her father, Governor Amor Deloso, and that the festival is designed to symbolize the province’s development, along with its people and in harmony with nature.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Angel Magsaysay, who also graced the opening ceremonies, said the Dinamulag Festival is about creating a legacy. “What we are doing is (meant) to inspire our future generations to inspire our people,” she added.

For his part, Mayor Jun Rundstedt Ebdane pointed out that while the province celebrates the harvest of the sweetest mango in the world, the occasion must also be used to boost local tourism.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 Officer Marilou Pangilinan agreed with Ebdane and extended her greetings on behalf of  DOT Secretary Wanda Teo.

”Zambales is fortunate for it has many blessings – beautiful scenery, islands and beaches, and the sweetest mango in the world,” Pangilinan said. “May this event underscore the importance of tourism among locals,” she added.

 

TOP PHOTO: Iba Mayor Jun Rundstedt Ebdane and Provincial Administrator Izelle Deloso cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the “Parayawan” Agri-tourism Showcase and Trade Fair for the Dinamulag Mango Festival. – Randy Datu