Known across the country as the home of the sweetest lanzones, the lush island province of Camiguin has added a new attraction to its menu—a grand lechon showcase that headlined the celebration of its 58th provincial founding day.
Camiguin marks 58th founding anniversary, launches tourism drive with “Lechonanza.”
At the provincial capitol complex in Mambajao, scores of whole pigs—crackling, golden, and glistening with fat—were slow?roasted and then paraded in full view of cheering crowds. Each lechon represented one of Camiguin’s 58 barangays, coming together for the first?ever “Lechonanza,” a colorful event created to highlight the province’s emerging lechon industry and its rich culinary traditions.
Camiguin Lechonanza
Lechoanza Parade in Camiguin
Governor Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo shared that the lechon festival began in 2007, when barangays started roasting pigs in their own communities to infuse the island with a shared fiesta atmosphere—smoke rising from backyards, the scent of roasted pork in the air, and neighbors gathering around long tables to feast.
He said that this year, all the lechons were gathered in a single venue to encourage camaraderie among communities, turning the area into a large, vibrant, and festive hub of activity.
Civic Parade in Camiguin Island
The celebration was further enlivened by sporting competitions, student and barangay contests, the State of the Province Address, and the inauguration of the new Camiguin Provincial Gym, which drew crowds and added to the sense of occasion.
Among the 58 entries, the lechon from Barangay Poblacion in Mahinog town stood out, besting all others to claim the grand prize in the best-tasting category of the Lechonanza.
Isle Visit Camiguin 2026
Romualdo added that the event also marked the grand kickoff of the yearlong “Isle Visit Camiguin 2026” campaign. Launched last year, this initiative aims to increase tourist arrivals through a monthly calendar of thematic activities that showcase the island’s culture, attractions, and local cuisine.
Filipino in Camiguin
In 2024, Camiguin posted a 37.86% increase in tourist arrivals, welcoming 397,818 visitors, up from 288,558 the previous year, underscoring the province’s growing appeal as a premier destination.
The provincial chief executive emphasized that Camiguin is firmly on track to achieve its ambitious target of 30% annual growth in tourist arrivals. If this momentum continues, the island is projected to regain and even surpass its pre-pandemic performance, reaching about 800,000 visitors by 2028.
Camiguin’s tourism calendar is filled with distinctive events that highlight the island’s natural beauty and adventurous spirit. In March, Climb Camiguin takes center stage at the Mt. Timpoong and Mt. Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument, an ASEAN Heritage Park known for its rich biodiversity, cool mountain air, and sweeping views of the sea and surrounding islands. This event draws hikers, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the island’s volcanic terrain.
In April, the 360 Ultramarathon challenges runners to circle the entire island, with a demanding course that follows coastal roads, passes through fishing villages, and traverses scenic rural landscapes. Come May, the Swimjunkie Challenge attracts open-water swimmers to Camiguin’s clear, blue waters, where they navigate courses set against dramatic mountain backdrops and pristine shorelines.
Camiguin Bench Cheerdancing Competition
Later in the year, the Ironman 5150 Triathlon brings together triathletes who test their endurance on Camiguin’s winding roads and coastal routes, while the Department of Tourism Dive Fest in August spotlights the island’s underwater treasures—vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and popular dive sites that appeal to both beginners and experienced divers. In September, the Mugna Creative Arts Festival showcases the island’s creative energy through performances, exhibits, and cultural presentations that celebrate local artists, artisans, and performers.
Complementing these events are Camiguin’s deeply rooted traditions. The Holy Week Panaad Penitential Walk, now known as Camino de Camiguin, draws pilgrims and devotees who walk around the island as an expression of faith, sacrifice, and reflection. In October, the iconic Lanzones Festival—one of the most anticipated events in Northern Mindanao—celebrates the island’s famed sweet lanzones fruit. Street dancing, cultural parades, and community-led festivities fill the island with color and music, paying tribute to both the bountiful harvest and the communities that nurture it.
Gov XJ Romualdo at Camiguin State of the Province Address
“Isle Visit Camiguin campaign isn’t just about attracting tourists, but also about sustaining our economic momentum, creating more livelihood opportunities for people, and ensuring that tourism continues to be a strong driver of inclusive growth for our province,” Romualdo concludes.
The province is set to bring its flagship Isle Visit Camiguin tourism campaign to the global stage at the Feria Internacional de Turismo (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, from January 21 to 25. Participation in FITUR—one of the world’s leading travel and tourism trade fairs—aims to boost foreign tourist arrivals by promoting Camiguin’s attractions to international buyers, tour operators, and travelers, as well as exploring new partnerships and market opportunities.
Adding to its growing international recognition, the province was recently named by The New York Times as one of its prestigious “52 Places to Go in 2026.” The publication described Camiguin as “a water lover’s paradise with sandbars and hot springs,” underscoring its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, hot and cold springs, and distinctive volcanic landscape as key reasons to visit.
Camiguin Lechonanza caption: In the photo are Camiguin provincial tourism office head Candice Borromeo-Dael; Lechonanza judges chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou of Simpol.ph; Governor Romualdo; celebrity chef Gerick Manalo; and restaurateur and author chef Sau del Rosario. They are seen sampling and rating some of Camiguin’s finest lechon dishes, showcasing the island’s rich culinary traditions as part of its broader tourism promotion efforts.
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