North-faced

CEBU, Philippines - “Faith can move mountains.” This was how Governor Gwendolyn Garcia described the recent success of the latest Suroy Suroy installment of the provincial government. Faced with bad weather predictions and a big loss with the untimely demise of the previous Provincial Tourism officer, Mona Clarita Zosa (who played an instrumental role in the logistical operations of the program, especially in handling the guests and media), the highly acclaimed and equally criticized tourism project of the provincial government sailed on against all odds and this time it was towards the northern towns of Cebu. What happened the next days was a miracle.

I had joined almost every SSS (Suroy Suroy Sugbo) trip the past two years. I’ve been joining the program since I was still a freelance photographer until I became a photojournalist in this paper. I could say that through SSS, I was given the opportunity to hone my skills in photography for it gave me a wide perspective on how beautiful Cebu really is. I had been with, I can truly say that every suroy is a unique experience. Many would say it’s all but the same routine of festive dance and music, same local product showcases and bountiful food, but it really isn’t. The towns themselves have been changing, evolving as time progresses, therefore different treats and surprises were in store for us in this first SSS of the year.

SSS was strategically planned to commence right after the Sinulog celebration to draw more tourists and balikbayans who were still in Cebu. A total of 246 participants composed mainly of US and Canada-based balikbayans and a number of foreigners and local tourists enlisted for this Northern leg. Most of them were medical practitioners.

Six towns were visited on the first day. Consolacion welcomed the guests with their cultural presentations that included their Sarok Festival and a “heavy” breakfast for everyone.

In Danao, the participants were taken to the newly finished President Diosdado Macapagal Park and Boardwalk. It is a neatly designed park with multi-colored brick-layered courtyard and walkways, and an ampitheater where a children’s rondalla filled the seaside air with familiar old Visayan melodies, much to the guests’ delight.

It was lunch time when the guests arrived in Carmen. The harsh heat of the sun did stop the crowd’s merrymaking. Carmen was proud to present its Sinamay Festival. Sinamay is a woven fabric made from abaca fibers.

A cool and relaxing beach experience awaited the group in Alegre Beach Resort in the town of Sogod. A beautiful shoreline and sumptuous, mouthwatering array of snacks and refreshments served. The native rice delicacies, puto with dinuguan and do-it-yourself halo-halo, were just perfect treats.

The first day’s last stop was at Medellin. Participants were whisked to an adventure park in Brgy. Caputatan Sur for a taste of adrenalin rush by means of their newly installed 130-meter and 240-meter ziplines and their “tarzan jump,” a contraption device that fastens a rider to a cable and swinging high to simulate the-king-of-the-jungle experience. Finally, everyone retreated to the breezy HIDEAWAY Resort for a hearty dinner with a beautiful view of their bamboo boardwalk and the spectacular fireworks show.

A sunny San Remigio greeted everyone the next day. Salbaro, budbud and kamote burger patties were among the standouts of the many delicacies prepared for that festive breakfast setting. Plus, some of the guests were even treated to free horse backriding along Cebu’s longest beachline, which stretched up to 42 kilometers.

From SanRem, via the Hagnaya wharf, the group crossed the Tañon Strait towards the adjacent Bantayan Island on board RoRo barges.  It was a smooth two-hour boat ride that most of the guests just took naps only to wake up when we were docking at the Sta. Fe wharf.

An island experience awaited everyone at the Ogtong Cave Resort. The sumptuous array of seafood and other Pinoy favorites proved to be satisfactory to everyone’s tummy. Beautiful songs rendered by the Santa Fe chorale gave everyone a refreshing atmosphere.  

We then found ourselves on the road and were awed by the long stretch of nautical and criminology cadets in their full uniforms who lined up on both sides of the road and saluted as our convoy headed towards Madridejos, our next stop.

Madridejos’ preparation was quite simple: first they gave everyone a short tour through Madridejos Mayor Sally dela Fuente’s Crab Processing Facility. All then proceeded to a modest gathering of songs, food and dances by the beach at the Kota Park just beyond the Bantayan sa Hari, an ancient Spanish stone fortress.

It was already dark when we reached the town of Bantayan – our last stop for the day. Bantayan proper is the island’s center of commerce, thus it was just appropriate for the tourists to see and experience the people’s trading lifestyle. Tourists were given free rides to the tiangges aboard pedicabs where they bought several souvenirs, mostly dried fish and squid. They were also given a short tour to some of the town’s tourist spots like the Bantayan museum and the century old Sts. Peter’s and Paul Church. Before everyone was escorted to their respective resorts to rest, the Bantayanons offered a wonderful nonstop medley of cultural presentations reflecting their Palawod Festival.

The next day we sailed back towards the mainland and went to the first scheduled town – Bogo. The tourists went to Odlot Church to offer short prayers. At Pulambato wharf lunch was served with Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. heading the ushering of guests.

Four lechons, grilled and steamed corncobs, siomai, native breads, fruits, fresh buko juice, hot sikwate, and freshly harvested tuba were just a few of the many treats prepared at the Tabogon Sports Complex. These and the defining generosity of the townsfolk were more than enough to compensate for our brief stay in the town.

A parade of horses, a dance presentation of the Silmugi Festival, a mind blowing catch-a-greasy piglet race, and several folksongs were the activities that the people of Borbon, prepared outside the St. Sebastian the Martyr Parish.

It was already dark when we arrived in Catmon. We were already behind schedule so the people gave us goodies to take home such as their famous budbud kabog.

The final stop for the three-day journey was at the quiet and peaceful town of Liloan. Before proceeding to the big culminating event at the town’s municipal hall, the guests were brought to Silot Bay, where they watched several pocket whirlpools created on the river that channels to the sea. A Hawaiian luau awaited everyone at the town hall and the night was capped with a spectacular fireworks display. (FREEMAN)