Camiguin, Lanzones Festival has never been sweeter ~ D' Durian Daily

A smile sweeter than the sweetest lanzones. A Kalanrakas sa Kabataan participant (Photo by JC Molina)

Spirited, sweeter. It was a long wait for the Camiguingnons to celebrate their festival of good harvest. The annual observance was hindered by a pandemic, but patience bore the sweetest fruit— a vibrant 43rd Lanzones Festival. More significantly, this year’s fiesta was a celebration of life.

One local was able to capture the general sentiment of the Camiguingnons, “It was a different feeling, a special feeling. So emotionally happy when the opening of the Lanzones Festival kicked off at the Grand Stand. A feeling of victory over Covid. A feeling of Hope.”

The two-year pent up energy was released. The impassioned Caminguingnons, whether participant or audience, came out in droves and took part in every component of the week-long festivity, which commenced with a grand parade, and fittingly, with a lanzones buffet for everyone.

Opening day of Ugmad 2022 featured a Lanzones buffet (Lanzones Festival FB page photo)

As the center of activities, the PPR Tourism and Sports Complex and the Ugmad Area were the showcases for concerts, cuisine and competitions.

The sports complex hosted the major competitions, including the Lanzones Music Festival and Kabog Showdown, Lanzones King, Queen & Diwata Showdown, Pasigarbo sa Camiguin, the Clash of Wits & Talents. The venue was also the stage for the awarding ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Ugmad Area was the busiest zone with day to night activities. The venue exhibited the Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade booths that profiled the five municipalities of the province; the Daos Ki with its mouthwatering thematic cuisine offered daily; and the Buahanan October Fest with its nightly musical entertainment for the festival revelers.

Agro-Industrial-Tourism Trade showcased the municipalities of the province

Elsewhere, the streets of the island were livened up with bursts of colors and energy. The Kalanrakas sa Kabataan, a mini-festival event among the elementary school students representing each municipality, transpired through the week. Each of the young contingent performed a symbolic tableau of the island province as they paraded on the streets. More than just a performance, the Kalankaras is a province-wide competition.

The Kalanrakas sa Kabataan (Photo by JC Molina)

With the culmination of the Lanzones Festival approaching, the excitement level towards the weekend was rising. Not even Typhoon Paeng dampened the spirit and enthusiasm of the Camiguingnons. Several of the events may have been moved to a later day but this only made the locals more eager to witness it.

One of the weekend highlights was the Lanzones Festival Mutya ng Buahanan Beauty Pageant with 15 ladies vying for the crown. After two years, a new queen is crowned. Irish Raine Sescon representing Cluster 6 is the 2022 Mutya sa Buahanan. Danielle McKaye Dela Cruz (PLGU Camiguin) is 1st Runner-Up; Sophia Feen Angela Latar (Sagay), 2nd Runner-Up; Rose Jane Israel (Mahinog), 3rd Runner-Up; and Mary Love Lopez (Mambajao), 4th Runner-Up.

The new Mutyan ng Buahanan & her court (Photo by JC Molina)

On awarding day, cheers of joy from the winning contingents echoed throughout the PPR Tourism and Sports Complex. The Barangay Poblacion, Mambajao contingent was awarded the 2022 Kalanrakas sa Kabataan Grand Champion; the Kalanrakas sa Kabataan Festival King and Queen 2022 come from Poblacion, Mahinog and Liong, Guinsiliban, respectively.

Joy & triumph. The 2022 Kalanrakas sa Kabataan Grand Champion-Barangay Poblacion, Mambajao (Lanzones Festival FB page photo)

The season may have produced lanzones so sweet, but the joy of the Camingingons was sweeter. Priceless.

“Pagkahuman, naka pasalamat gyud ko sa Ginoo nga despite sa bagyo and other challenges, it all went well. Like karon gimingaw ko sa whole week sa Lanzones Festival,” said one Camiguingon.

Congratulations to Camiguin Province on the successful mounting of their 43rd Lanzones Festival celebration!