13 tons of sweet Guimaras mangoes await visitors of ‘Manggahan’ Fest
SWEET MANGOES. The sweet mangoes of Guimaras await visitors as the province celebrates its 33rd Manggahan Festival May 16 to 25, 2025. Some 13 tons of mangoes will be available. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Thirteen tons of sweet Guimaras mangoes are being offered during the 33rd Manggahan Festival, a 10-day celebration that began Friday and runs through May 25.
Organizers aim to surpass last year’s attendance of nearly 63,000 with mango-inspired dishes and a lineup of events across the province.
Among the festival’s main attractions is the mango-eat-all-you-can challenge, where visitors can feast on as many mangoes as possible in 30 minutes for a fee of ₱100. Last year, a visitor from Louisville, Kentucky, topped the event by consuming 25 mangoes, beating out 9,500 other participants.
Other activities include a music festival—consistently the event’s most-attended feature—along with cultural and street dance competitions, sports events, an agri-fishery fair, the Mr. and Miss Guimaras pageant, Kabataan (Youth) Day, a government services fair, Farmers and Fisherfolk Day, and Provincehood Night.
“We’re showcasing the sweetest mango, renowned the world over,” said Governor JC Rahman Nava during a press conference Friday. “Since last year, we’ve not just been promoting the mango but also other produce that Guimaras can offer. I think this is a more expanded Manggahan Festival compared to last year. We’re hoping to duplicate the success we had.”
The 2024 festival generated over ₱311.87 million in revenue, including ₱84.47 million from tourism, ₱106.18 million from the music festival, ₱54.43 million from accommodations, ₱1.78 million from transportation, ₱26.34 million from the agri-eco trade fair, and ₱5.04 million from retail activities.
Guimaras Rep. Lucille Nava said during the opening program that last year’s Manggahan “boosted remarkably the local tourism and economic activity of this province.”
“This year, we optimistically anticipate an even more exciting, fun-filled, innovative, and sustainable festival,” she added. “Manggahan 2025 aims to blend tradition with modernity, introducing immersive experiences, technology-driven exhibits, and initiatives to empower farmers, fisherfolk, and women entrepreneurs.”
READ: Guimaras festival ‘more than just mangoes’
