Sen. Bong at Surigao's Bonok Bonok fest

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas (photo, right) watch Mamanwa tribes people as they perform indigenous rituals as part of the Bonok Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival to celebrate the city’s patronal feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino. Revilla was the guest of honor and encouraged the Surigaonons to continue the path to progress by making the city a center of commerce and eco-tourism in Mindanao. Bonok Bonok, an award-winning festival, is also part of the 41st Charter Day celebration of Surigao, which included various socio-civic activities, cultural events and a food festival. Known for its moniker City of Island Adventures, Surigao is composed of pristine island barangays which boast of fine white sand beaches, lush marine sanctuaries and cave systems. Surigao was chartered a city on Aug. 30, 1970 because of its bustling mining industry in Nonoc Island, once the biggest nickel deposit in the world.