Rianne C. Tecson
CAPITOL yesterday kicked off its first leg of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo for 2010, showcasing a rare mix of culture and politics.
At least 300 participants were toured in eight towns in the south, given a preview of local dances and treated to the towns’ delicacies.
First stop was Ming-lanilla town, the Sugat Capital of the South, where participants had a heavy breakfast—lechon, humba, chorizo, danggit, fresh fruits, among others.
Students also performed the Kabanhawan dance for the tourists.
It was also in Ming-lanilla where participants learned that presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro Jr. of the administration party Lakas-CMD-Kampi and senatorial candidate Adel Tamano of the Nacio-nalista Party were joining the tour.
Prayer
Accompanied by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Anthony Soco, Teodoro and Tamano then stopped by the Minglanilla parish to pray, something which the four of them would later do at every town’s parish church.
Teodoro said he joined the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo because he wanted to know what he, if elected as president, could market to other countries to sustain the local tourism industry and what the needs of the participating towns are.
“Everybody should try the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo. It’s something all Filipinos should see—the uniqueness of Cebu. It (tour) gives you some form of domestic exposure,” he told reporters at the Minglanilla municipal hall.
He also said that the tour will give him an idea on how to complement existing infrastructure, adding that a long-term infrastructure program is what Cebu needs.
He mentioned the possibility of building a third bridge to link mainland Cebu and Mactan island, widening of roads, specifically Escario St., Cebu City and A.C. Cortes Ave. in Mandaue City.
Manifesto
The participants stayed for an hour in every town, except in Sibonga, where the group had lunch, and in Argao, where governors and mayors from Visayas and Mindanao signed a manifesto supporting the candidacy of Teodoro.
Participants randomly interviewed by Sun.Star Cebu said they were impressed with the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, with how the activity has managed to showcase important features of every town in such a limited time.
They, however, said Capitol must address the lack of restrooms, a problem raised during the early stages of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
One participant also noted that there was just too much food to eat that when they reached the other towns, they didn’t feel like eating anymore and failed to try the other delicacies.
Another participant also suggested introducing activities that will allow interaction from the tourists.
“Tourists should be more involved in the tours and not just eat and watch the performances, something like showcasing how delicacies are prepared,” she said.
Two participants, however, noted that the tour would have proceeded as scheduled if not for the presence of the politicians.
But Garcia explained that the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo is open to everyone.
“It’s an open adven-ture…everybody is invi-ted. What is important is that the towns are being showcased. The presence of politicians-guests is only secondary,” she said.