MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (18 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo broke yesterday the ceremonial "lucky pot" during the "Pabuenas rites" opening the three-day 28th Camiguin Lanzones Festival in this island province.

The opening rites were followed by street dancing presentation by students from the Yunbing National High School.

The President arrived on board the presidential chopper at the Mambajao airport at 10 a.m. with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza.

She was welcomed at the airport by Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Rep. Pedro Romualdo, Mambajao Mayor Ma. Luisa Romualdo and Presidential Assistant for Northern Mindanao Jojo Pupos.

From the airport, the President proceeded to the Camiguin Provincial Plaza where she installed Governor Romualdo as the new chair of the Regional Development Council for Region 10.

The Romualdos thanked the President for always finding time to grace the Camiguin Lanzones festival's opening salvo, an annual major event in Camiguin which has evolved into a major tourist attraction in the country. It showcases the bountiful lanzones harvest, sports competition, street dancing and parade.

The Chief Executive's next stop was the Camiguin Agro Fair, Trade, Tourism Pavilion. Here, she cut the ribbon that formally opened the Agro-Industrial-Technology Trade Fair.

She tasted approvingly samples of sweet Camiguin lanzones with Governor Romualdo and Secretary Dureza. This was followed by her tour of the fair trade booths, exchanging pleasantries with traders particularly Vjadep Bakeshop owner Ella Jose, maker of the Camiguin's bread embossed with yema flavor.