Mango Magic At Mactan Newtown

One of my best college memories is enjoying The Pen Pal's dessert, a rich ice-cream tower with swirls of whipped cream, brightly finished with a cherry on top.

- Christine Dayrit

Surrounded by friends, we exchanged tales of love and reminisced about life together. Today, I'm back in that spell of delight at Mactan Newtown for the Cebu Mangoes Festival for the largest halo-halo activity. But this celebration is not only about halo-halo; it is about that mixed sweetness that binds us all.

And what a halo-halo it was: over 200 pounds of ripe mangoes, combined with saba bananas, mango beans, corn, gulaman, nata de coco, and topped off with four gallons of rich, creamy evaporated milk—all blended into a colossal five-foot glass bowl. The scent of mangoes filled the air, a festive brass band played, and everyone cheered as this sweet spectacle came to life. It wasn't just dessert—it was a symbol of joy, culture, and shared identity.

The Cebu Mangoes Festival first burst onto the scene in 2019, paused during the pandemic, and has now returned with even more heart and heritage. At its core is a tribute not only to Cebu's golden fruit but also to tradition, togetherness, and Filipino pride.