1st PH dragon fruit festival held in Ilocos
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/08/2011 4:22 PM | Updated as of 07/08/2011 4:28 PM


The dragon fruit is the star of the new festival organized by the government of Ilocos Norte.


MANILA, Philippines - There's the Lanzones Festival in Camiguin, and a Mango Festival in Guimaras and Zambales. And now, for the very first time, a festival has been organized in Ilocos Norte for the dragon fruit.

The provincial government decided to hold the festival this month in recognition of the increased production of dragon fruits, which has given farmers an additional source of income.

Some dragon fruit plantations in the province cover as much as 38 hectares.

By means of such a festival, many people will be aware of the dragon fruit, which may possibly increase sales not only in the province but in the rest of the country.


Residents of Ilocos Norte celebrate the Dragon Fruit Festival held earlier this month.


At the Dragon Fruit Festival, a cooking festival was held to show how the fruit can be used to make sisig, different kinds of dessert, salad, and other dishes.

Organizers believe the cookfest can show the versatility of the dragon fruit.

They are also hoping that Ilocos Norte will be known as the dragon fruit capital. -- Report from Randy Menor, ABS-CBN News Ilocos