In Compostela: “Caballo” is out, “Queseo is in”

CEBU, Philippines - Starting July 24 this year, Compostela town will introduce “Queseo Festival,” a new festival that would replace the old “Caballo Festival.”

The municipal council has approved an ordinance creating the festival which will serve as the official festival of the town starting this year.

Vice Mayor Josephine Abing and members of the council agreed to change the town’s festival as a way to promote the town’s known product.

“Caballo” started during the administration of former town mayor Antonio Dangoy in honor of the town’s patron saint Senyor Santiago Apostol who is portrayed as a horse rider.

The ordinance said the Cebu Provincial Government has institutionalized the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” program by creating and approving an ordinance for such purpose, sponsored by provincial board member Arleigh Sitoy.

The very purpose of such, the municipal council said, is to create tourism awareness and to showcase all the municipalities.

“Suroy-suroy Sugbo,” they said, is a vehicle and gateway to discover the many salient and distinct qualities and tourist spots in many towns that could generate income once developed as tourist destinations.

“Suroy-suroy Sugbo” started with out-going Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported the program as it is also part of its program to promote tourism.

The concept of “Suroy-suroy” has been cited as a great opportunity for all towns to endorse their places and products.

Vice Governor-elect Agnes Magpale, chairman of the committee on tourism and served as acting governor during the six month suspension of Governor Garcia strongly advocates the “One Town, One Product Policy.”

The festivals that advertise the towns’ products are Argao’s Torta Festival, Liloan’s Rosquillos Festival, Consolacion’s Sarok Festival, Lapu-Lapu’s Guitar Production, Mandaue’s Bibingka’s Festival, and many more.

The municipal council said it’s now time for Compostela town to establish its own identity in the field of tourism.

They said queseo production is already a part of the town of Compostela’s culture.

“In that way, we are promoting economic enterprise for our queseo makers, we are providing livelihood to our farmers, we are promoting good health and healthy options to consumers by using queseo as the best alternative for it does not pass through an artificial process,” the ordinance said. (FREEMAN)