CEBU, Philippines — After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, the flagship tourism program of the provincial government of Cebu, has officially returned with around 400 participants hitting the Southern Heritage Trail starting yesterday.
Participants, led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other officials, including Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., were in high spirit as they hop from one town to another despite the inclement weather.
They visited seven towns—Minglanilla, San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, and Boljoon—on day one of the three-day Southern Heritage Trial.
Each town showcased their culture and heritage through dances and performances like the Sugat sa Kabanhawan of Minglanilla, Sikoy-Sikoy Festival of San Fernando, Bonga Festival of Sibonga, Torta Festival of Argao, Utanon Festival of Dalaguete, and Siloy Festival of Alcoy.
Historical sites like the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete and Nuestra Señora de Patrocinio Church in Boljoon were also visited.
While in Argao, participants visited the Cabecera de Argao, where the famous Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Michael Archangel is located, as well as the Municipal Hall, Hall of Justice, Puerta Marina, Capella Murtuaryo and other historical sites.
Aside from showcasing their cultural heritage, each town also pampered the participants with their delectable delicacies like biko, torta, binignit, buko pie, bibingka, binangkal, empanada, sapin-sapin, bukarilyo, etc.
Abalos was impressed at how the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo has provided each town the opportunity to be promoted and become a tourism destination. In fact, Abalos said the program should serve as a template for other provinces to follow.
"What I see right now should be a template to other provinces to follow,” Abalos said.
Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante said they are grateful for the opportunity to showcase everything what their town has to offer.
Cesante said he has been working hard to improve the town’s tourism industry, especially on resorts and accommodation establishments.
Bamba Echevarria, a retired flight attendant, said she was amazed by the various historical and heritage sites that each town of the province has to offer.
"This took me by surprise, actually I've been able to travel the world, and yet wa ko kahibaw what Cebu is all about so this really took me by surprise. And I think, I'd bring my nephews and nieces to witness," Echevarria said.
She was also impressed by the preparations of each town they visited yesterday.
"Ni work out gyud sila para ma entertain tanan. Makita nimo nga malipayon gyud sila nga moserve sa tanan," Echevarria added.
Maria Lester Ybañez, Provincial Tourism Officer, said that they want each guest to experience everything about Cebu and its towns.
"We will never know some of them will be interested in adventure tourism, farm tourism and all. So once ma introduce na sila basically moingon sila nga oh didto sa kuan (town) naa man silay farm didto. Basically that's it we are letting them to see and feel and have a taste a little bit of everything," Ybañez said.
The three-day Suroy-Suroy Sugbo package costs around P11, 000 to P16, 000 depending on the participant’s choice of accommodation. Today, the tour will cover eight towns--Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian and Moalboal. – FPL (FREEMAN)