■ MACTAN NEWTOWN HARVESTS MANGOES FROM ITS OWN MANGO AVE.
Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown planted 210 mango trees along Newtown Blvd. when it started its land development in 2009. Eight years later, 81 of those trees bore fruits ready for harvest in May and June. Close to a thousand kilos of mangoes have been picked since and these are sold at the Mactan Alfresco. Megaworld Cebu Properties Inc. president Noli Hernandez said they plan to create an annual Mango Festival to celebrate the harvest season.
When Megaworld's The Mactan Newtown started its land development in 2009, 210 mango trees were planted along the Newtown Blvd., the main road that runs the length of the 30-hectare township. Thus, The Mactan Newtown now has its version of Cebu City's Mango Ave., except theirs is lined with real fruit-bearing trees.
It was the idea of Megaworld Corp.'s chairman Andrew Tan, as Cebu is best known for its mangoes. Eight years later, 81 of those trees bore fruits, which were harvested in May and June. Close to a thousand kilos of mangoes have been picked since harvest season began. These are being sold at the Mactan Alfresco.
Megaworld Cebu Properties Inc. president Noli Hernandez also revealed plans of creating an annual Mango Festival to celebrate the harvest season. It will be part of the tourism events of the LapuLapu City Government.
If the mango-picking activity organized by Mactan Newtown last June 27 for media friends was a preview of what people can expect from the Mango Festival, then tourists and locals alike had better get their game on.