GUIMARAS

Golden Pleasures

The province has long been recognized for its superbly sweet mangoes. But, the luscious fruit is not Guimaras’ only glowing treasure. On the shores of Nueva Valencia are two beaches of golden sand.

While Guimaras’ gilded mangoes have justifiably attracted considerable attention and acclaim, Guimaras holds another glowing attraction: Nueva Valencia’s beaches of golden sand. In Alubihod Beach tiny reddish pebbles mixed with creamy sand give the whole stretch a burnished hue.

At dusk, when the setting sun throws its fiery radiance, the sand reflects back the light to give the sand a golden tinge. Clear, blue waters break surf before ascending to the shore. The moderate slope of the sea bed makes Alubihod perfect for swimming without going too far out into the sea.

If you’re game for something really organic Guisi Beach is the place for you. Here, the azure sea caresses the blonde-colored sand which can turn golden at times. At times deserted, Guisi Beach is the perfect haven for deep reflection and communing with nature. Dominating the landscape are the remains of an 18th century Spanish Spaniards lighthouse still towers above the trees.

Then, there’s the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve. Composed of two main islands and 44 smaller islets, it cradles white-sand beaches, sandbars and limestone rock formations. More importantly, the marine reserve acts as home and shelter to a great variety of animals that include 68 species of birds, 8 species of mammals, and at least 15 species of reptiles.

“What also makes Guimaras a must-visit is the fact that we have maintained the rural way of life even if we are in the middle of the 2 highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod. The province is rich in agriculture and ecotourism resources for nature lovers and adventure seekers,” states Ms. Liberty Ferrer, the Senior Tourism Operations Officer and Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Tourism Office.

But what renders the Guimaras experience truly rewarding is the heartfelt hospitality of its people—expressed in their gentle speech, their warm embracing welcome, and a smile that’s not unlike the sweetness of the golden Guimaras mangoes.

While the famous mangoes have justifiably attracted considerable acclaim, Guimaras holds another glowing attraction: Nueva Valencia's beaches of golden sand.

The Sweetest Harvest

Celebrated for growing what is arguably the sweetest mangoes on the planet, the province of Guimaras produced an annual average of 2,839 tons of fresh mangoes between 1988 and 1993. In a 2018 census, the province had a total of 274,822 mango trees of which 193,435 trees are bearing.

What makes the Guimaras mango different from the rest? “The Guimaras mango is different from other varieties because of its unique sweetness, firm flesh, sweet-smelling aroma, thin seeds, as well as smooth peel,” says Ferrer. These attributes, she says, are the effects of 3 contributing factors, namely, the calcareous soil of the province (meaning rich in calcium), the distinct wet and dry season, and the sea breeze that continuously fans the island.

To celebrate the province’s main crop, Guimarasnons have been celebrating the yearly Manggahan Festival every May since 1993. Depicting the people’s rural way of life and the abundance of mangoes, the festivity involves various activities depicting the cultural heritage of Guimaras and gives emphasis on the promotion of Guimaras mango.
Apart from the ripe fruit itself, the Guimaras mango is also used to produce a variety of delicacies such as ketchup, tart, butterscotch, pickles, and many more. The province’s culinary experts also use the fruit as an ingredient to create innovative edible treats like mango pizza and pasta in mango sauce.

The Guimaras mango is clearly a fruit of versatile uses, prompting many to call it a golden gift from the gods.

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