CAMIGUIN (PIA)--Preparing for the 44th Lanzones Festival, the provincial government here convened the municipal tourism officers, national line agencies, barangay local government units, and other stakeholders for its first meeting, July 24, at the New Capitol Building, Mambajao, here.

"We’re happy to announce that our 44th Lanzones Festival will be on October 15-22. Gisayo nato ni kay I know nga naa ta’y barangay election on October 30. So we are hoping for another successful and bigger event this year, kay sa among pag-research pud ug pagsuroy-suroy, murag abundant ang atong lanzones karong tuiga," Provincial Tourism Officer Candice Dael said.

(We are doing this because I know that we have a barangay election on October 30. So we are hoping for another successful and bigger event this year because, from our research and sightseeing, our lanzones seem to be abundant this year)

During the meeting, the committee heads discussed the mechanics and details of the Kalanrakas sa Kabataan, Ugmad (fair trade), visual merchandising, and the parade.

Gabriel Salon, committee chair for the Kalanrakas sa Kabataan, said the event will start, October 16, at 8:30 a.m. in Catarman town. This year, the town has seven contingents. In the afternoon, the activity will take place in Sagay with six contingents.

Kalanrakas sa Kabataan in Guinsiliban will be held, October 17, at 9:00 a.m. with four contingents, while Mahinog town will have their event in the afternoon with five contingents. Mambajao will hold their event, October 18, with 14 contingents.

For the visual merchandising, barangays were already informed that their booths during Panaad 2023 would be used in the festival. The booths will be judged according to their decoration and the products displayed.

Local government units (LGUs) are also urged to join the visual merchandising contest and decorate their areas with indigenous materials. Entries will be judged according to appearance, construction and execution, and originality.

The first judging of the LGUs and barangays will be on October 1, and the final judging is on October 15. Winners will be declared, October 22.

Ugmad, or agricultural products display, will run from October 9–28. For the parade, contingents and participants are urged to wear their lanzones decorated buli hats with a mix of island vibes, October 15.

The provincial government will still hold a series of meetings to finalize the other set of activities to celebrate the Lanzones Festival. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)