Pick-a-Fest

Why do you want to experience and join the
LANZONES FESTIVAL
in Camiguin Island

"Have you been to Camiguin?"

That's the question friends ask every time I'm in Cagayan de Oro to visit my Girlfriend. "You should go there; nice place, beautiful beaches and of course! The lanzones there are so sweet" they added even before I answer "no" to their question.

Yes, I admit that I ha vent been to Camiguin. I do love too. If pictures can tell a thousand words, pictures of friends and love ones in Camiguin only tells me of one thing and that's "come here!". Going to Camiguin is always part of the plan but due to budget concerns going there is always a plan.

The Philippines is definitely a "festival" islands. Visiting or traveling in different Philippine destinations is good BUT visiting a place in time of a festival, it makes the travel more fun and exciting. It’s a great bargain. There is a festival in every month and Lanzones Festival is scheduled every last week of October. According to my friends, Lanzones or "buahan" is harvested every October thus the festival was set in October as a thanksgiving for the abundant harvest not only of buahan but of all products.

Legend says, the festival started from a couple who wished for a child from a fairy who guards a lanzones tree. When their wish was granted they became so happy and forgot give thanks to the fairy. One day, as the child was playing, an old lady approached the child and the child became ill. The parents realized their ungratefulness to the fairy and so they performed a ritual to please the fairy and to ask for the child healing. The fairy then granted the couple's wish and the child was healed. The couple asked town folks to be with them in thanksgiving and merriment and it became annual ritual thus the festival.

For what I heard of while I’m in Cagayan de Oro, the lanzones festival has: lots of sweet lanzones at a very low price, some folks even gave it away to some tourist and visitors; It also has beauty pageants, band concerts, street dancing and lots of food. The stories i gathered and heard are all inviting to experience it to be part of it. I want to be there to join the festivities to experience it for myself for the first time.

White sand, clear water beaches, hot and cold springs, seafood, piniato, hot choco from tablea with pastel on the side. um um um! stop dreaming and start saving up =))

Why do I love to experience and join the Lanzones Festival? I only have a simple reason and that is "to witness locals do their thanksgiving". All Fiestas and Festivals here in the Philippines are made to offer thanksgiving. Be it a patronal fiesta or on-season of local produce - just like the Lanzones festival. Locals have their own way of thanksgiving, be it in a dance, or in singing or offering ones harvest. I want to see how they perform their way of thanksgiving.

Furthermore, I want to join the lanzones festival by being the lensman. To capture all that I witness: the scenery, the happy faces and the fun that the festival is giving to both locals and tourist.

The Philippines is a festival islands all year round. Three (3) major festivals are celebrated for the month of October. There’s a lot of time to save and who knows we might 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!"

ADTO NA TA!