Imagine an island created in black and white. Imagine world as lifeless dark. Guimaras island is located in the middle of Panay and Negros island. According to history Guimaras was once under the umbrella of Iloilo but in 1992 It became a new province that comprise the Western Visayas. Guimaras played a great role during colonization during the Spanish and American, invasion of the Japanese and liberation of the Philippines.
Guimaras is known for its sweet mangoes and white sand beaches. That attracts not only local from neighboring island but as well as people from different parts of the world. Its untouched and less development made it so unique that will help you find more the value of life and inner peace.
Its sweet mango, placed the island in the map. Evidence suggest that once you tasted their mangoes you’ll come back and look for it.
Basically, this island is very strategic because of its rich minerals such as lime sand that helps nourish the mango tree to produce a sweet mangoes bountifully. This fruit is in demand in different places around the world. In addition because of the strong commitment of the Guimarasnon and in cooperation with their local government, they were able to protect the distribution of mango products. Mangoes from different places cannot enter guimaras as well as not mango seedling should be taken out of the island. In line with this, they also have their Manggahan festival Celebration on the Month of April where they conduct several activities like, eat all you can mango edition, cooking showdown, symposiums about the said fruit and etc.
On the other hand, Its white sand beach and blue waters amazes every individual that visits Guimaras.From north to south it never fails to satisfy your urge to dip in the waters.There are a lot of resorts to be found in Guimaras and in Guisi, you will have a different experience. If you the adventurer type of person, you better visit this place. Here you will find restaurant that will fill your stomach,a clear water beach that will give you a blast of sweet escape and a vintage spot of the old lighthouse and a ruin building.There are also exclusive island ready to serve you. Alubihod is also a great place if you want to enjoy beach with your friends because of its proximity from the capital city.
Touring Guimaras in one day is never impossible. Aside from the sweet mangoes that they produce and white sand beaches, Guimaras also offers other spectacular places.
Trappist monastery, wher monks live in a peaceful environment and produce the best guimarasnon delicacy mango tarts, jam, mango butterscotch, and a lot more. Its scenic environment attracts many local tourist to visit the place. The Navales Church that was built during the late 19th century that was also damaged during the World War II and until now is going renovations.
In Rizal, there you will see different sizes of boat designs from decorations and transportations.
Guimaras also houses many Aeta tribes that have their own ways of life and stuggling to survive in the area allotted to them.
Bala-ang bukid is also an amazing site for people who wants to have a pilgrimage during holy week.
University of the Philippines Visayas put up a research facility that would take care the marine biological area. They are one of the major researchers that helped out in the recent oil spill in Guimaras last 2008.
The perseverance and commitment to protect the island, they were able to begin once more.As a fortress it was able to stand firm and protect its people. They may have experience black and white yet because of their positive outlook they were able to produce a vibrant color called life.