GUIMARAS — Anticipating a massive influx of tourists for this year’s Manggahan Festival, the provincial government of Guimaras has prepared a record 18 metric tons of mangoes for the crowd-favorite “Mango Eat-All-You-Can” event — the biggest allocation ever for the annual celebration of the island’s world-renowned fruit.
The allocation is five metric tons higher than last year’s supply, as officials expect heavier foot traffic from both local and foreign visitors eager to experience one of Western Visayas’ most anticipated tourism attractions.
Provincial Agriculturist Arvin Nava said the expanded preparation reflects the provincial government’s push to accommodate the growing popularity of the event.
“Every year, the demand for the Mango Eat-All-You-Can grows,” Nava said.
The Mango Eat-All-You-Can activity has long been considered the centerpiece attraction of the Manggahan Festival, drawing long queues of visitors wanting unlimited servings of Guimaras mangoes at an affordable price.
“This has always been one of the biggest crowd favorites. Visitors really look forward to this because it gives them the opportunity to taste unlimited servings of Guimaras mangoes at a very affordable price while experiencing the festive atmosphere,” Nava added.
Under the mechanics, participants only need to pay P100 for registration to enjoy unlimited mangoes for 30 minutes.
To accommodate the expected surge in visitors, organizers expanded the number of daily sessions.
From Monday to Thursday, eight batches are accommodated daily, while Fridays to Sundays feature 11 batches, including extended evening schedules.
“We extended the weekend schedules because that is when we expect the heaviest influx of tourists. This allows us to serve more people and avoid excessively long waiting times,” Nava explained.
Festival organizers are also encouraging guests to reserve slots online through the official booking portal to minimize congestion and ensure smoother scheduling.
“We encourage everyone to book early, especially for weekend slots, because these usually fill up fast. Online reservation makes the process smoother and ensures participants can secure their preferred schedule,” Nava said.
Gov. Lucille Nava said the activity goes beyond tourism and serves as a platform to promote the province’s globally recognized mango industry and honor local farmers.
“The Mango Eat-All-You-Can is more than just a food event. It is our way of promoting Guimaras mangoes and honoring the farmers whose hard work made this possible. This is part of our continuing effort to strengthen agri-tourism and highlight the quality of Guimaras produce to the world,” the governor said.
The Manggahan Festival 2026 runs until May 24 and features cultural performances, trade fairs, agricultural exhibits, concerts, and tourism activities aimed at promoting Guimaras heritage, local products, and livelihood opportunities./PN
