Suroy-suroy is the name of the game

WITH the summer vacation just around the corner, it is high time to plan for a summer suroy-suroy. No need to look far.

The different towns in our province have a lot to offer. We saw this when we joined Gov. Gwen's latest Suroy Suroy which was the Southern Heritage Trail.

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It was a fast-paced look-see round south highlighting old churches, festival dances and handicrafts. What's more we got a taste of the native specialties in each town. The experience was super-fun in all counts!

Minglanilla was our first stop...can you believe, lechon and humba were part of the breakfast menu? It was the start of the countless meals and entertainment numbers prepared in our honor...yes, there was a feast for us in every stop, a royal welcome I must say, making us (and this includes numerous balikbayans) feel like superstars.

Pictures etched on my mind that first Suroy day...the new industrial hub in Naga; the fresh produce (veggies, fruits, peanuts, among them) distributed to us in San Fernando; the hilltop shrine of Mama Mary in Simala, Sibonga; the black shama bird of Alcoy; the historic churches in Argao, Dalaguete and Boljoon and the beautiful plazas where we lingered; and yes, the colorful dances presented in every town. We stayed in Boljoon's Medyong's Resort for the night.

Day two started with breakfast at the grounds of the reconstructed Oslob church (burned down in 2008) facing the nearby Cuartel ruins which used to be the barracks of the Spanish army. Then we were off to Santander where we discovered pageantry on a hillside facing the sea. Standing majestically in the midst was an image of the Sto. Niño surrounded by costumed sentinels.

In Samboan, we visited an old house and saw an exhibit of old baro't-saya and antique furniture. There was also the St. Jacob's Ladder which was built during the Spanish era so that the people will have easy access to the church from their seaside homes.

Ginatilan afforded us a close look at the old baroque church whose patron saint is St. Gregory. In the next-door town of Malabuyoc, the parish church (built in 1857) is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.

A slight drizzle greeted us in Alegria but it didn't stop the welcomers from dancing in the rain. Dinner that night was at the vicinity of the famous Kawasan Falls in Badian. It was a magical evening in a forest-like ambience. The last stop for the day was at Moalboal, the place widely known as a divers' paradise.

Our group spent the night at the Badian Island Resort and Spa.It was absolute bliss staying in one of the luxurious villas by the sea. The warm welcome of Hartwig Scholz and Maria Catral was another plus factor.

Our final Suroy-Suroy day began with a visit to Alcantara, the smallest among the Cebu towns in terms of area, where we were served the freshest of seafoods. Ronda came next (another breakfast) and then Dumanjug, the hometown of Gov. Gwen. But of course, the red carpet was rolled out for the favorite daughter.

We were delighted with the tableau of angels at the St. Francis of Assisi church ...little children dressed as angels playing/chatting/doing whatever, in their respective corners oblivious to the visitors around. Over at the grounds were handicrafts for sale and food booths offering all kinds of goodies. The most popular item was none other than the famed Dumanjug specialty, "inasal na manok Bisaya."

Barili was our next stop and we went straight to the town's pride, the Mantayupan Falls, all of 98 meters high with two levels and three cascades. The place is so cool and refreshing.

Lunch was at the beautifully-restored old house (originally built by the Abad family) owned by Liz Cui Yu. It was a showcase of antique implements and furniture.

Carcar gave us a taste of their legendary specialties - ampao, chicharon, bucarillo, pastel and native delicacies. It was a festive site at the plaza fronting the church with the Kabkaban dancers offering entertainment.

Suroy Suroy Southern Heritage Trail ended with dinner under the stars in the city of Talisay. And what a finale it was! The city hall was gloriously lit up...the entertainment numbers superb...the food great (lechons galore straight from the pit)... and the fireworks truly memorable!