177. SUROY-SUROY SUGBO, EXPLORE THE MIDWEST
In 2005, the Provincial Government of Cebu embarked on a tourism program that
would promote the not so popular and less visited tourist destinations in the
province. The program, now famously known as “Suroy-Suroy Sugbu”, commenced
during the first term of Governor (2004-2013 & 2019 to present) Gwendolyn
“Gwen” Fiel Garcia. The common English translations of the word “suroy-suroy”
from the online Cebuano-English dictionary binisaya.com are: peregrinate, gad, gallivant and
stroll. “Peregrinate” is the nearest translation which means, “to travel or
wander around from place to place”. In 2019, the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbu” was
relaunched when Governor Garcia assumed the governorship for the second cycle.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office 2 attended this year’s third
Suroy-Suroy circuit with four personnel and two tourism partners from the
Region 02 Travel Agencies and Tour Operators’ Association, Inc. (R2TATOA).
Before the start of the three-day tourism adventure, I made my traditional
homage to the original and oldest religious relic in the Philippines in honor
to the Holy Child Jesus at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu in
downtown Cebu City. After which, we joined the more than 300 participants at
the Capitol Heritage Park where the buses and convoy were waiting. We were
given kits in cloth bag bearing the Suroy-Suroy design with cap, three t-shirts
for each day and an umbrella.
This leg was dubbed as "Explore the Midwest" and our first local
government unit (LGU) was Tabuelan. As we traversed the island of Cebu going
north, we had a quick stop in Bastap, a stop-over establishment in barangay
Luyang, Carmen town and here I met the owner Ms. Charo Barro who flexed her
products consisting of rosquillos, otap, eggnog, huevos, patatas, galletas de
Bastap, salbarro de Bastap and bao-bao.
The convoy arrived at the Municipality of Tabuelan via Logo an hour before
lunchtime and Mayor Raul T. Gerona and the town people warmly welcomed us.
After an hour, Governor Gwen and some of the members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan arrived and the formal program started and was capped with a
cultural presentation. The town, Cebu’s youngest founded in 1953, gave us a
most festive opening salvo at the Casiano Gerona Family Park where the bust of
the town’s most illustrious son, Mayor (1988-1998 & 2007-2010) Casiano
Dabalos Gerona (1933-2010) was erected. The governor herself danced as she
joined the cultural performers and guests at the stage. This was the first stop
and my first Cebu lechon for the tour. Souvenirs were given.
The name “Tabuelan” came from two traditional sources. First, it is believed
that it came from the word “tabogok”, a specie of the octopus family which were
abundant in the seashore and vicinities of the Batawang River. Another version
states that it came from the phrase “sa taboy lang”, which means “just across”.
Our next destination was the Municipality of Tuburan and we immediately visited
the Saint Anthony de Padua Church before we headed for the municipal gym where
Mayor Democrito M. Diamante, other officials and the town people graciously met
us. It was here where my second lechon was served. Tuburan was the hometown of
General Arcadio Maxilom (1862-1924), hero of Cebu in the Philippine Revolution
and the Philippine-American War.
We then proceeded to barangay Kabangkalan near the Atabay Peak where the famous
view deck known as Tuburan 360 is located. This highland establishment situated
9.2 kilometers from the poblasyon via a roller-coaster ride, served homegrown
coffee and other pica-pica delicacies. We experienced a picturesque and
refreshing view of the north-western mountain range of Cebu Island and a good
glimpse of Negros Island. Telescopes are available to get a close-up view of
the mountains. Souvenirs were given.
The name “Tuburan” is derived from the word “tubod”, which means “the spring of
water” referring to the presence of several springs in the municipality.
Our last stop for the day was the LGU of Asturias headed by Mayor Dana Andrew
M. Dumdum who welcomed the guests through a traditional musical presentation by
the Asturias Korowerdas in front of the historic Parroquia de San Roque de
Montpellier de Asturias. An exotic yet delectable dinner buffet topped off the
first day of Suroy-Suroy as guests also dined on particularly good dishes like
sinaksakan nga mais, ginataang kuhol and sulot (a caramelized bread) and I
tasted my third Cebu lechon. The most famous delicacy is the bingka dawa made
from birdseed baked the native way with coconut milk. Asturias capped off the
night of amazing performances with fireworks and more dancing from the suroy
suroy guests and Governor Gwen and party. Souvenirs were given.
Asturias, formerly named as “Naghalin” which either means “settlers coming from
far places” or “making fire” was named after a region of Spain known for its
rugged coast, mountains, religious sites, and medieval architecture.
My team tired for the night at the Marmil Resort at D. Macapagal Highway in downtown
Toledo City. The establishment is a resort, restaurant (local and international
dish), restobar, room accomodations, functions rooms and rooftop and event
venue rolled into one. We stayed in this resort for two nights.
Toledo’s old name was “Hinulawan”, founded in 1861, and it became a chartered
city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2688 signed on June 19, 1960.
Day 2 (June 11) started with the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Saint
Raphael the Archangel Parish Church in Aloguinsan town celebrated by Father
Rizalino Raypan, Jr. The Governor and the municipal officials headed by Mayor
Cesare Ignatius G. Moreno were present with other balikbayans of the town. We
then proceeded to barangay Kantabogon and descended the steep stairs heading to
the Hermit’s Cove where we had a Hawaiian style luncheon with traditional
wooden spoons and forks. Here I had my fourth Cebu lechon.
After the sumptuous lunch, we experienced the Aloguinsan Glass Bottom Boat Tour
starting from the open sea of the Tañon Strait. Since the boat bottom is made
of fiberglass, we can see the corals, fishes and other aquatic plants and
animals. We then entered the renowned and historic Bojo River. The word
''Bojo'' is a Spanish word for “coastal sailing”. Famous for its breathing
sanctuary of ecosystem covered with forest mangroves, shrubs, birds, the river
served as a refuge for Cebuano soldiers during the Philippine Revolution and
World War II. At the end of the boat tour, we were serenaded by a group of
smiling local singers and dancers singing lovely Cebuano songs as we rested in
a native-style gazebo. I took home a number of wood-made utensils as souvenirs.
According to folklore, the name “Aloguinsan” came from the term “ulo sa
kinsan”. Kinsan is a kind of marine ray-finned fish or dotted grouper
(Epinephelus episticus).
The buses then headed for the town of Pinamungajan about 16 kilometers north.
Aside from the traditional hospitality, we were greeted with a showcase of
local products of all sorts displayed on booths in front of the municipal hall.
The LGU, headed by Mayor Ana Jessica A. Baricuatro, hosted our dinner and
numerous dishes were part of the menu and I had my fifth Cebu lechon. A
cultural show unfolded and we ended up joining the dancing and merriment. Here,
I was invited by Governor Gwen to dance the cha-cha and other steps. The
governor was very energetic leaving me exhausted. Souvenirs were given and
fireworks hovered the skies.
The name “Pinamungajan” came from the Visayan word “pinamuhuan” which means “a
worker share for his effort during a farm harvest”.
Day 3 (June 12), the final day of the Suroy-Suroy, started with a 5:40AM
interview by Bombo Angelica Morales of BOMBO Radyo Cauayan on the 125th
Philippine Independence Day commemoration. We highlighted the relevance of the
annual celebration to the issues of today.
This holiday-Monday started our first stop at the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries,
Inc. in Balamban town. The municipality is the shipbuilding capital in the
country and is also celebrating its 30th founding anniversary this year. The
group had a running tour around the shipyard. We then proceeded at the
Tsuneishi Brisa Del Mar for the cultural presentation and lunch. Cebu Third
District Representative, Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, brother of Governor Gwen, was
present together with the host mayor, Ace Stefan V. Binghay. After two days of
extensive eating, I decided to settle on fruits but stilI had my sixth Cebu
lechon. We were given wooden miniature galleon ships for souvenirs.
The name “Balamban” was derived from the word “balambang” or “butterflies” or
“alibangbang”.
The buses then departed for Toledo City about 25 kilometers south and reached
the Toledo Carmen Copper Corporation, owned by the Atlas Consolidated Mining
and Development Corporation. The Toledo copper mine is one of the Philippines'
largest copper mines, thus making Carmen Copper a principal producer and
exporter of copper concentrate in the country. We we toured at the very
informative Carmen Copper Heritage Center located at barangay Don Andres Soriano
(Lutopan) where the exact machines, tools, tractors, various stones, and a
replica of the old mining tunnel can be found inside. The company sponsored
snacks and I had my seventh Cebu lechon.
The tourists then proceeded to the city proper where we were accommodated by
Mayor Marjorie P. Perales. Guests were treated to Toledhanon hospitality and
entertainment as we were ushered inside the state-of-the-art Toledo City Sports
Center or the Megadome for a fusion of Filipino and hip-hop dances, Cebuano “huni”
(tune) and music, and the Cebuano balak and a ukulele ensemble. Select Suroy
Suroy participants shared testimonies of their unforgettable experiences that
allowed them to re-discover Cebu and their roots and appreciate again Filipino
culture and tradition. I was the last one to speak and I started my testimony
with the first line of the song: Usahay (“Usahay magadamgo ako”) since I have
heard the kundiman sang in all the cultural presentations we experienced since
Day 1. I commended the provincial government, local government, and all sectors
who made the Suroy-Suroy possible and promised to cascade to the “tourism best
practice” to my home region in Cagayan Valley. I had my eight Cebu lechon in
this evening banquet.
The three-day experience was capped with the unique religious annual
celebration of thanksgiving to the city’s patron, Saint John of Sahagun – the
Hinulawan Festival. The festival is the biggest and most flamboyant festivity
in Toledo City involving colorful and vibrant aspects of traditional dances,
food sharing among other exciting events. “Hinulawan” came from the words:
“hin” for “hinaguan” (fruits of labor) and “ulawan” for “bulawan” (gold).
The name of the component City of Toledo came from the ancient city at
Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. Toledo is known as the “City of the Three
Cultures” for the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims and Jews
throughout its history.
After the ten cultural presentations, my team darted off to Mactan-Cebu
International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City travelling almost two hours
horizontally dissecting the island of Cebu for our 3:00 AM (June 13) flight to
Manila then second flight to Tuguegarao City.
Exploring Cebu’s western coast: Tuburan, Tabuelan, Asturias, Aloguinsan,
Pinamungajan, Balamban and Toledo City was a blast. This is the second time the
provincial government promoted the midwestern localities of the island
province. The last was in 2012 and its return became a success. The Department
of Tourism (DOT) noted that the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Program has successfully
boosted Cebu’s tourism industry. With this, DOT is benchmarking the Suroy-Suroy
Sugbu in a national program called “Philippine Experience”. Mabuhay!
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