By Henry Empeño | May 25, 2025

BOTOLAN, Zambales — It may have rained on everyone’s parade, but “Zamba-Liwanag” Float Parade, the culminating activity of this year’s Dinamulag Festival undeterredly marched on—drums beating, lights on, and with or without umbrellas to ward off the sudden evening shower.

A total of 22 colorfully decorated floats from local government units and agencies, as well as schools, community groups and business establishments, competed and wended their way a short distance along the highway to the municipal hall where judging took place.

Three other non-competing floats also joined: the Iba branches of Jollibee and McDonald’s, and Capitol Park Homes.

Sandra Aguillon, chairman of this year’s “Zamba-Liwanag” competition noted that the entries not only focused on aesthetics that showcased the creativity of the competitors; they also highlighted the growth of the mango industry and the involvement of stakeholders in the local mango industry.

“Through vibrant floats and captivating Mutya ng Zamba-Liwanag beauties, we have highlighted not only the festivities surrounding the Dinamulag 2025 but also the journey of our mango growers from cultivation to harvest and the impact of this industry on our communities,” Aguillon pointed out.

“This celebration isn’t just about mangoes; it is preserving our rich cultural heritage, promoting local tourism, and empowering our agricultural sector,” she added.

Several brightly-lighted floats stood out in the competition, but the judges easily gave their nod to the float entry of Botolan LGU, which captured the essence of the Dinamulag Festival: the head of a carabao—after which the local “dinamulag” mango variety was named—was placed in front, seemingly pulling a wheeled cart laden with baskets of Zambales’s popular fruit of the season.

The other entries in the Top 5 list were those of the Zambales Academy Inc. (San Narciso LGU), Zambales Provincial Police Office, Brgy. Patrocinio SK and Community, and Pres. Ramon Magsaysay State University.

Awarding of prizes for the float competition was held right after the parade at the Botolan People’s Plaza where winners in the Mutya ng Zambal-Liwanag contest were also proclaimed.

The popular Baguio-based band “Cup of Joe” provided entertainment during the judging break and generated screams from a predominantly Gen-Z crowd. 