‘Suroy helped uplift Asturias’ image’

SUROY-Suroy  sa Sugbo helped Asturias town in west Cebu  improve its image as a hot spot for peace and order, said Mayor Alan Adlawan yesterday.

He said Asturias, which promotes its natural attractions like  Lake Buswang, is developing as a tourist destination after the Suroy-Suroy began in midwest Cebu in 2006.

Busloads of 200 visitors  stopped by the  Asturias municipal hall, where a rondalla group played while guests  had a  barbecue lunch.

Adlawan said the town was looking at eco-tourism to develop new attractions for visitors.

The tour  began in Balamban town with cultural performances. Visitors  included He Shijing of  the People’s Republic of China and his wife.

They were served the town’s specialty, Balamban liempo or roasted pork belly, before touring the shipbuilding compound of Tsuneishi Heavy Industries

Cebu Inc.

At noon, the caravan went to Asturias, where flowers were laid at the monument of Jose Rizal at the town plaza to mark the   upcoming 150th birthday of the  national hero.

In Tuburan, visitors snacked on  pastillas and banana chips displayed in  nipa huts inside the municipal hall.  Some took a dip in the freshwater spring of Molobolo.

The first day of Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo Explore the Midwest caravan ended with a view of  the  sunset from Maravilla Beach in Tabuelan town.