Dinamulag, Zambales Mango Festival 

   Dinamulag refers to the variety of  carabao  mango or in Filipino word “Kinalabaw” , which is more popular in the province of Zambales.

Dinamulag Mango Festival is the biggest annual festival, celebrated throughout the province of Zambales  in which all of its 13 municipalities participated.

The daily  livelihood of the province is fishing and other agricultural products, , but in the year 1995 when the Guinness Book of World Records cited the mangoes grown in the province as the sweetest mangoes in the world It gives a big  honor not only in the province of Zambales but in whole country.

In 1999 the local government of Zambales celebrate the Mango Festival to promote  the mango in the province,  this also served as  initial step in preparing the province in becoming one of the prime tourist destination in the country

The annual celebration is celebrated  every summer in the capital of the province, in Iba, Zambales (no exact date yet), highlighting not only their mango but also the places of interest  and attractions as well  the culture, natural wonders, cultural and historical heritage  in the entire province.

With the recognition received as the sweetest and delicious mango in the world, the mango production become a major industry in Zambales. From their beginning, the association of mango growers in Zambales, improved and developed  the packaging, handling and shipping system of the mango, for local and international distribution.

They revitalize the local industry of mango and realize the full potential.  They also developed  other products from mango, like  mango vinegar, mango wine,pickled mango, mango tarts, mango candy and many other,   to help increasing the income of mango farmers.

 

The Festival

The highlight  of the celebration is the rich quality of sweet mango, the so-called “world’s best variety of mango”

Grand Parade

Mango festival is one of the festival in the country with distinct identity.  The grand parade generally start with the street dancing  and parade of float. The grand parade usually happened on the second day of the festival, participated by different contingents all over the province.

Float Parade

 The floats are made with indigenous materials and decorated with their own agricultural products prevalent in each every town highlighting the different varieties of mango.

San Marcelino float won the first price.

The float description is  singkamas. Singkamas is scientifically known as pachyrhizus erosus known in English as Mexican potato or Mexican turnip, or simply it can call as TURNIP.

FLOAT DESCRIPTION

The San Marcelino is known to white, juicy and sweet turnip and sweet manga, such as piko, Hawaiian mango, and Indian mango, and principally Dinamulag mango (Carabao Mango). The other agricultural products located in the farmland of San Marcelino was rice, bananas, salay tiger grass (use for making a broom) and corn. It all comes from the town of San Marcelino all are  part of the symbolic float.

The representative of the  AETA as part of the cultural resources of San Marcelino that living  particularly in some village of the town will further give meaning and emphasis that the town enriched by agricultural products and recognized  the indigenous citizens  as part of the historical sources of the town.

Castillejos won the second price.

San Felipe, third price winner

Most of the float board a muse to add artistic inspiration.

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Street Dancing

Street dancing and float parade are simultaneously  held in the grand parade. The contingents  is in intense performance dancing in the street wearing colorful mango inspired costumes followed by their respective float. The display of coordination and  mastery as well as the stamina of the street dancers are incredible experience  to all visitors coming from different places, trooping in the main road of the town of the capital of Zambales, Iba.

The street dancing are ends in the Sport complex of Iba, before their final performance.

The unique dance movements and choreography derived from the sweetest mango in the world, is really amazing performance.

The distinctive beat of drums, the theme and style, transitions and variation of tribal steps, boosts the head of all spectators, during the exhibition and showdown of all contingents.

 

(Float Parade and Street Dancing Photo’s, CREDIT to M.R. Tañedo Photos )

Araw ng Katutubong Zambaleno

(Indigenous  Day of Zambales)

The Philippines consist of a large number of indigenous ethnic group and the Aetas are descendant of the original inhabitants of the country.

 During the festival our brother and sister Aetas are given a part in the festival and recognize their achievements and contributions to our country by recognizing and preserving their historical distinctiveness as well as their specific  rights based on their historical ties to a particular area  through policies and programs of the local government of Zambales province.

Primitive house making contest.

Indigenous dance.

Basket ball Aetas style.

The new bread of Aetas, dancing modern dance.

The celebration of ‘Araw ng Katutubo” includes different  indigenous dances,  and parlor games.

Talent Search

The government of Zambales, believes that their communities, possessing a hidden talents, waiting to be discovered. Through “Tuklas Talento” they encourage each every one, young and old the opportunity to shows their talent and be recognized.

Singing Contest

Dance Competition

 

Local Trade Fair and Exhibits.

The province of Zambales organized a trade fair and exhibit to help small scale of industry to showcase and demonstrate their local products.

Search for Miss  Zambales

The search for Ms. Zambales is one of the most awaiting part of the festival. The Zambales beauties are judged in their physical beauty,  incorporate with  their personality, intelligence and talent.

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Aside from the above mentioned activities, there are more fun filled activities in  four days of  celebration such as Marching band competition,  Bayliwan dance revolution, Aquathlon, Fin and open water swimming, Ultra Marathon, 4×4 off road challenge, motocross challenge, Mountain bike challenge, Tangoy tangoy challenge, Skydiving exhibition with celebrities and many other more.

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Balin Sambali

“Balin” means house in local dialect of the province, “Sambali” is referring to the locals. It was constructed a year ago, inline with the development of the tourism sector.

Balin Sambali is located in the sport center of the province, served as the official residence of the participants of Ms. Zambales, and other distinguish guest during the festival.

For booking and reservation +63916508578 and 09994987640

 email add: balinsambali@gmail.com

 

The Province -Zambales

The quiet province of Zambales is just 3 hours drive from Manila, is known for the powdery white beaches, islands, coves and islets, The lush forest, mountains, rivers and water falls are unique for trekking and adventure.  old light houses, cultural heritage churches.  The place is also good for wreck diving. The hospitality and smiles of the locals is at their best,  made it as a complete package of destination from a camping style and budget accommodation to firsts class amenities and accommodation.

The good condition of Zambales road, is also known as one the scenic highway in the Philippines, where most of the towns from north to south of Zambales lies along the shoreline, facing west Philippine sea. Plus the fact that the non-existence of  industrial businesses and activities making the province pollution free.

How to Get to Zambales:

There are 13 municipalities and 1 city in the province of Zambales.

• Olongapo City
• Iba
• Subic
• Sta. Cruz
• San Narciso
• San Marcelino
• San Felipe
• San Antonio
• Palauig
• Masinloc
• Castillejos
• Candelaria
• Cabangan
• Botolan

 

By Bus:

All the destination in  Zambales from Manila is served by Victory Liner. For bus schedule and fare, just contact victory liner or  click  HERE   for Victory Liner website, to find some option from where you are coming from.

• Victory Liner Caloocan: 361-1506; 361-4665 to 66
• Victory Liner Cubao Terminal : 727-4688; 410-8986
• Victory Liner Pasay Terminal : 8334403: 833-5019 to20

For other option: passenger can travel Olongapo City then transfer to mini bus going to other municipality of  Zambales.

By Own Vehicle:

•  Balintawak Exit to Iba via SBMA – Approximately 3 ½ hours
• San Fernando Exit to Iba via SBMA – Approximately 2 ½ hours

 

 

 

Acknowledgement:

• Zambales Tourism
• Ma. Domitela Mora -Zambales Supervising Tourism Operations Officer
• Jun Bon – Zambales Tourism Officer
• Ms. Chin Chin Aguila -Zambales Tourism Officer
• M.R. Tañedo Photos