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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Surigao invites ex-PBB housemate as spokesman
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent
TANDAG, Surigao del Sur -- Model turned movie actor Sam Lacia Milby of "Pinoy Big Brother" fame was recently given a task by his province mates -- namely as endorser of Surigao del Sur's tourist spots.
In a resolution filed by Provincial Board member Valerio T. Montesclaros, committee on tourism chairman, and approved by all PB members Milby can help invite more local and foreign tourists to sample the province's best tourist spots.
Foreign and local tourists alike trooped yearly especially every summer to fine beaches of the province.
But local lawmakers here claimed the lack of promotions and marketing due to financial constraints have hindered the influx of tourists.
Popular major tourist spots of Surigao del Sur are; the famous Niagara-type Awasan Waterfalls in Bislig City, the White Beach of Cagwait, upcoming popular surfing site in Lanuza; The crystal clear water and white sand beach of Britannia Beach in San Agustin town and the more than 100 kilometers stretch of fine sand, crystal clear water beaches of the province.
"Milby fits to a "T" as Surigao del Sur tourism ambassador or endorser as he is not only popular and today most sought after movie and television celebrity but also a role model to youth," Provincial Administrator Johnny T. Pimentel said.
Family business
Copies of the resolution were already sent to Sam Milby informing him of his province mates particularly the Provincial Board members decision requesting his help by making him as "Ambassador of Tourism" for Surigao del Sur.
"If he accepts it, he can start anytime and we hope he can come here to visit us and discuss how", Montesclaros said.
Milby's 49-year-old mother Elsie Ronquillo Lacia, is a native of Tago, Surigao del Sur, a seaside, fishing and farming town which is just seven kilometers away from this capitol town.
Elsie grew up in Tago and finished her high school at the Catholic La Purisima Concepcion School located across the Lacia Ancestral Home in Tago Poblacion, which is also very near to the Town Plaza and Tago Municipal Hall Building.
Elsie was sent by her parents Damaso Quico Lacia and Illuminada Ronquillo Lacia to St. Paul College in Dumaguete City.
There she met Sam's father, Lloyd Milby, a French American, while vacationing in a relative's house in Plaridel, Bulacan.
After marriage, Lloyd Milby brought Elsie to Tipp City in Ohio in 1981 where the couple started up a family business of advertising.
Very close
Bonifacio Lacia, Sam Milby's 50-year-old maternal uncle and former OFW who worked in Iraq told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro the actor has an elder sister named Ada Milby, who is now working in the United States.
According to Bonifacio who used to be Sam's escort in Manila before the latter ventured into modeling, the actor was born May 23, 1983.
She said as a young boy, Sam used to ride in a carabao whenever the Milby family visited Tago for a vacation. At one time, Sam studied at nearby La Purisima Concepcion Elementary School for weeks.
Bonifacio claimed Sam is a Filipino by heart, "because he is not only very close to his mother Elsie but in the way he thinks."
"If he was chosen to be an Ambassador of Tourism by the Board members, I am sure if given the opportunity he will not turn down the offer since he really wanted to serve our province. He can help our province by promoting our tourist spots here," Bonifacio said.
(March 30, 2006 issue)
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