Zambales folk celebrate summer’s bounty of mangoes

Street dancers in mango-inspired costumes celebrate the bountiful harvest of the summer fruit in Zambales during the annual “Dinamulag Festival.” Photo by Jennifer Go (Contributor)

IBA, Zambales, Philippines — Street dancers once again donned elaborate and mango-inspired costumes to celebrate the bountiful harvest of this summer fruit that has the best-tasting varieties in this province.

Zambales mangoes, especially the carabao variety called “dinamulag,” remained distinct because of their sweetness, organizers of the annual Dinamulag Festival said.

This year, the Zambayle Street Dancing Competition at the Zambales Sports Center here drew seven municipalities battling it out for the Best Street Dance Group.

Street dancers in mango-inspired costumes celebrate the bountiful harvest of the summer fruit in Zambales during the annual “Dinamulag Festival.” Photo by Jennifer Go (Contributor)

The dance group of San Felipe won the contest, beating dance groups from the towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Antonio, Iba, Botolan and Masinloc.

“We want people to come to Zambales and enjoy themselves here. Zambales is more than just a mining province, it is a rising tourist site,” Governor Amor Deloso said.

Aside from the street dancing, a series of actvities capped off the two-week celebration that began on March 11 and ended on Sunday.

These included Zamba Tuklas Talento, I Love Zumbales Zumba Session, Ginoong Millennial Zambales, Musikalikasan Beach Mardi Gras, Sambaliwanag Float Parade, Environmental Summit, Tanghalang Zambaleño, Padagaw Nin Aytan Zambaleño, Lakbaycycle Tour, Binibining Zambales 2019, and the Earth Hour Celebration.

“The celebration of the Zambales mango is more than just the mango itself. Truly, the event is a celebration of Zambales and the many things one can do in the province,” said Omar Deloso, chair of the festival. Joanna Rose Aglibot

Street dancers in mango-inspired costumes celebrate the bountiful harvest of the summer fruit in Zambales during the annual “Dinamulag Festival.” Photo by Jennifer Go (Contributor)