Garcia thanks Baquerfo, Granada

CEBU, Philippines - More than 100 guests joined the “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” in Camotes island this weekend where they were treated to not only sumptuous local delicacies but also to the beautiful spots of the place.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia accompanied the guests in discovering the pride of the municipalities of Poro, Tudela, San Francisco and Pilar, all belonging to Camotes group of islands.

Every year, the governor said that Suroy-Suroy Sugbo is becoming more colorful and more creative.

Garcia said Tudela has given a very nice accommodation, adding she appreciated both Rogelio Baquerfo and Demetrio Garanada for staying at the background and for not letting the event be affected by their conflict.

The two gentlemen, who are both claiming to be the duly elected mayor of Tudela did not show up to welcome the Suroy-Suroy guests.

“I have seen how this has evolved. Our local people in the towns that we visited always strive for excellence, pushing the bar and trying to improve more,” Garcia lauded how local residents have been cooperative in the province’s efforts to promote tourism.

“It started with nothing but now it has gone a long long way. We have achieved our goal of introducing and making known those places which are always forgotten,” she added.

Each municipality presented a preview of their respective festivals that they are annually celebrating through dance presentations as they welcome the guests.

The first stop was the port of Poro and the whole team immediately proceeded to Tudela where they were warmly received by the town’s residents as if there is no conflict going on between their officials.

Tudela bragged of its Bukilat cave located in barangay McArthur. The cave is the town’s historic and beautiful natural treasure and was said to be used as s helter by the Japanese soldiers during World War II.

From Tudela, the team went back to Poro to visit the Buho Rock, a resort with staircases built to connect a rock to another rock. It was called “Buho” because of a big hole underneath the standing rocks.

The last stop of the first day of Suroy-Suroy was in San Francisco where tourists visited the famous Lake Danao, Santiago Bay and Mangudlong Resort. It was more of white sand beach scenes, which Camotes is famous for.

On the second day, the team crossed the seas to get to the island of Pilar. The town boasts of its heritage houses, which proved early settlement in the area. Pilar now has several developments from the last time it was visited by the team.

Garcia said that the town’s road is already 80 percent asphalted and hopes to complete the asphalting within this year. “We continue to develop our provincial roads because accessibility is our priority to attract more tourists and boost further or tourism industry,” she added.

The governor also invites more guests to join the Suroy-Suroy as she assured that Cebu is safe from the dreaded Influenza A (H1N1) virus. She said health officials has been very vigilant against the disease and the province is very keen in observing cleanliness in the local level to prevent possible community outbreak. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)