Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Speak out: Suroy Suroy Sugbo experience By Menchu B. Ponce
I WANTED to join the Camotes Suroy Suroy but arrived in Cebu on May 23 just about the time the entourage left.
I was disappointed but as Liloan consultant, I immersed myself in the activities related to our annual town fiesta.
It was Junjit Primor, artistic director, Cultural Affairs of the Province who revived my spirits with the info that another Suroy Suroy was scheduled in June.
It is embarrassing to admit that while I have been to a lot of places in the world I have not thoroughly toured Cebu.
So reservation was made through Tita Zosa, executive assistant and secretariat member of the Tourism and Heritage Council of Cebu.
Day 1 (June 12)
I discovered later that there were more repeat tourists in our group of 203, like the Swiss couple, Emelina and Wermer.
Aloguinsan. The reception given by Aloguinsan Mayor Cynthia Moreno was overwhelming in terms of accommodation and entertainment.
I was largely impressed by the children’s rondalla that played beautiful native music.
The outstanding feature of the reception was not the food.
I really would have wanted to sample their fish, “kinsan,” that is indigenous to Aloguinsan but sadly, there was none.
Pinamungahan. Although, the town is run by Geraldine, the young, doctor-daughter of my former colleagues at Southwestern University, Drs. Antonio and Estrella Yapha, I say I was not disappointed with what I saw.
The Pinamungahan receptionwas elaborate, from the accommodation, to the food, to entertainment.
Barangay Lamac showed how bayanihan spirit earned for them a national award, making cooperative members enjoy a better quality of life.
Toledo City. There was festive air as Suroy Suroy coincided with its fiesta.
The Hinulawan festival was made more colorful by the presence of a native son, JR Siaboc, Pinoy Dream Academy runner-up, and his guest, finalist Iris.
Mayor Arlene Zambo spread the city’s red carpet to Suroy-suroy participants.
The reception at the Cebeco compound was superb.
Balamban. I noted the threat to the safety of schoolchildren who were still lining the Suroy Suroy route late into the night with their banners and torches.
In the US, this practice is tantamount to child endangerment.
It was difficult to perceive what the tour guide described as the most progressive town in the dark.
But when the film clip was shown on the plants, facilities and resources of the town, no doubt the claim was legit.
The grand reception Mayor Alex Binghay gave was unmatched, complete with a lavish fireworks display.
I did not expect a five-star accommodation at Knight’s Inn but at least I expected clean beddings and a clean room free from cobwebs and dust.
Day 2 (June 13)
The breakfast buffet at Knight’s Inn was sumptuous beyond belief.
Asturias. Mayor Alan Adlawan had a unique way of entertaining the guests.
There was a floating restaurant that served native delicacies, like the tastiest bibingka in the Midwestern Cebu tour.
There were contests that were peculiarly Cebuano: carabao talent show, one “katig” boat and kayak contest.
The more venturesome guests took an inviting boat ride in Buswang Lake.
Tuburan. I experienced déjà vu going up the stairs of the Tuburan Museum.
It brought memories of my trip to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Over lunch, Mayor Constancio Suezo III showed to us a page from the province’s history book, “The Life of Arcadio
Maxilom,” Tuburan-born hero of Cebu.
I admire the Tuburan people’s discipline especially in the Tubod Festival.
Tabuelan. The welcome salvo prepared by Mayor Casiano Gerona was memorable.
The cultural presentation in Maravilla was unique as it took the guests into the sea where dancing and rituals were done.
But it was in the town plaza where the real action was!
Val San Diego, noted Cebuano choreographer, is truly a gem of Tabuelan.
The cultural presentation was most impressive in terms of costume, choreography and performance.
The Tabuelan singers may be unpolished yet showed a strong potential.
I have expressed to the governor in person my greatest admiration at the way she has governed Cebu.
Her efforts to showcase the culture and heritage of Cebu and sell Cebu to the world are truly commendable.
