Thursday, May 08, 2008 Wenceslao: Mountain roads By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
YESTERDAY'S “Not only about Saksak” article had, as expected, invited a response from Capitol officials, like the Province’s media consultant Sam Costanilla. In a talk over the phone, Sam clarified that no “bright boys” advised Gov. Gwen Garcia to promote the rice-camote mix. “She discovered Saksak during the Suroy Suroy in January,” he said.
Sam said the term “sinanduloy” or “sanduloy” is the term used for the rice-camote mix, although others call it “saksak” which loosely means mix in Cebuano. Incidentally, Sun.Star columnist Roger Serna volunteered this info: “In a talk with Tangub Mayor Jennifer Wee Tan, she said ‘sinanduloy’ for them means potpourri of songs, music and dances.”
But back to Sam. He said Saksak, which the governor envisions to cushion the impact of the rice problem, will be promoted throughout the region following the interest shown in it by the President. In Cebu, a contest on innovative ways to promote saksak is ongoing. Participants are the towns and awarding ceremony has been set for December.
Aside from promoting saksak, town officials are selling rice and camote to their constituents. Sam said Capitol is also distributing camote cuttings and promoting the planting of camote in idle lots, while encouraging other LGUs to do the same.
“Namatud-an sad nga ang kamote makasanta sa heart ailment, colon cancer ug diabetes,” he added.
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This one is a case of “naguba na lang wa pa gyod ko kaagi.” I am referring to the road that leads to Barangay Sinsin. That road was hit by landslide and may no longer be repaired. A geologist from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said stones in Sinsin are highly fractured and are susceptible to landslides. Why there’s a road there is something.
It looks like the past is hounding our present. I mean, nature is lashing back at us for our lack of foresight. It’s not only the road in Sinsin. The Transcentral Highway, too. The mountains have always been there, and we are teeming with experts who could have ascertained the condition of the land where roads are built. But then again, that’s past.
Anyway, I have long been planning to go the rounds of Cebu City’s hinterland areas using the network of roads already in place there. Of particular interest for sentimental reasons are the areas in the stretch of road from Bonbon to Sudlon. Another interesting route is from Bonbon to Tabunok following the river connecting to Mananga.
That, I would say, would be my version of “cool change.”
