Suroy Suroy now 'international' - Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - The tourism project Suroy Suroy Sugbo is now internationally renowned, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said, as she thanked respective town officials for hosting their part of the tour well.

All 21 towns in the south of Cebu were visited during the three-day Suroy Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail and Garcia said the respective Local Government Units gave out delivered their best.

“Tungod sa paninguha nila, ang Suroy Suroy Sugbo nahimo nang world-class and internationally renowned,” Garcia said.

Garcia also thanked Marian Kimseng Pearson, president of the Philippine Society of Las Vegas, for promoting the project by word of mouth.

“And that is the best promotion,” Garcia said. “We can come up with the most snazzy videos but ang labing tuohan gyud ang kanang mismo muingon ‘didto ko, nindot kaayo,” she added.

Pearson brought with her 40 balikbayans from Las Vegas to join the Suroy Suroy and most of them were first timers.

The tour made a stopover for at least an hour in every town. There, guests were treated to the town’s culinary specialties and enjoyed cultural presentations.

Pearson praised the project for being “wonderful.”

“The delegates were so impressed. The kids out there in the street, waiting for hours just to wave at us; it’s very touching,” Pearson said. Back home, she said they will again promote the program by word of mouth.

The guests said the caravan not only met their expectations but offered the “best and overwhelming” experience.

“This is a fabulous thing the governor has done. I love that in every place, there’s food,” a female tourist said.

Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer, said the positive feedback from the guests made everything worth the effort.

“It has been a very successful, very fruitful three-day four us for this year,” she told reporters.

Paulino said that this early, she already received bookings from a number of people of the same delegation for another Suroy Suroy in Camotes Island on April 21 and 22.

To make the tour even better, Paulino said they will be holding trainings among local guides.

The trip, which was attended by hundred of tourists, kicked off last Wednesday in Minglanilla town and ended with a fireworks display last Friday in Talisay City.

Apart from balikbayans from Las Vegas, Nevada, guests from France, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, and New Jersey participated in the tour. There were also guests from Tacloban City, Butuan City, and Metro Manila. (FREEMAN)