BANANA FESTIVAL

Celebrated in abundance of bananas; activities include the traditional

 “lupakan,” “harana” (serenade), and pandangguhan (dance with lights).

 Along this is a food festival featuring sumptuous meal and delicacies

 all made from banana, and are being displayed on artistically-designed

 booths of which materials used are also purely from banana trees.

A streetdancing is a main event at the festivity which is staged every

 25th of January, in observance of the town’s founding day.

The harvest thanksgiving festival features a

performance exhibition where schoolchildren dance

 in rhythmic beat at the main streets. Costumes

are fashioned out of banana plant materials. There

 is also a banana cook fest. A religious procession

 highlights the celebration of the feast of

St. Joseph, the town patron.

Embrace the sanctity of Baco – the oldest town in Oriental Mindoro nestled

at the foot of the great Mount Halcon and home to the island’s most peculiar

 flora and fauna. And more, one may take a luxurious dip in its cool mountain

rivers. While in March, witness the indigenous Banana Festival, featuring the

traditional harana, lupakan and pandangguhan. And for those new to the place,

enjoy the warmth and convenience of a home-stay vacation.