CEBU Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale declared the Suroy-suroy Sugbo Southern Getaway a success.
She said the tour was "pretty successful" even if Capitol had little time to prepare it.
The Suroy-suroy Sugbo Southern Getaway was the first activity led by Magpale under the Capitol tourism promotion program. Suroy-suroy was launched in 2005 under Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia's administration.
Garcia was ordered suspended for six months by MalacaƱang, resulting in Magpale's assumption as acting governor.
Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, Magpale's ally in the Liberal Party, said the Suroy-suroy Sugbo Southern Getaway was conducted at less cost but it afforded tourists more time to visit attractions.
End
The three-day tour ended yesterday with tourists visiting Ronda, Barili and Talisay City.
Hong Kong resident Sam Mui Tam, 83, the oldest participant, said she enjoyed the whole tour. It was her first Suroy-suroy.
Her daughter, Eva Au, 60, said they enjoyed the warm welcome of dancers, who showed the different cultures of the towns.
Meetal Gandhi, 30, a Filipino-Indian resident of Australia, described Suroy-suroy as relaxing and experiential.
Gandhi, who joined the tour for the first time, said he was amazed by the culture and the food of Cebuanos.
Ronda's presentation to the tourists featured the town's Panginabuhi Festival. A banner welcoming guests was placed in front of the Municipal Hall, next to a banner of the One Cebu party headed by Garcia.
Benefits
Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco, a One Cebu party ally, said the local government participated in the Suroy-suroy because it benefitted the town.
Magpale met the tour participants in Barili as she was absent during the second day of the activity.
She and Mayor Teresito Marias, both members of Liberal Party, welcomed tour participants, who were treated to a performance of the Kaumahan Festival dance.
Before proceeding to Talisay City for dinner, the six Suroy-suroy Sugbo coasters made a stopover at the Carcar United Footwear Manufacturers Association where dancers performed the Kabkaban Festival dance to the tune of "Mabuhi Ka Sugbuanon," a song often played in the presence of Garcia.
Tour participants and Magpale bought Carcar-made shoes.
Magpale thanked Carcar Mayor Nicepuro Apura for giving the tour group a warm welcome.
In Talisay City, guests had dinner in front of the City Hall while dancers performed the Halad Inasal Festival.