Suroy south Cebu trail wows 300 tourists

Around 300 foreign and local tourists were treated to the sights, taste and culture of southern Cebu as this year’s “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo the Southern Heritage Trail” kicked off yesterday.

The 150-year-old Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church in Minglanilla town was the tour’s first stop where the guests were given the chance to appreciate the antique items displayed at the church such as a palu-palu (a short bat for beating clothes in washing them), an old wooden table, Japanese money, a mirror, a wooden fork, kitchen utensils like a black round plate, spoons, pitcher, glass and fruit tray among others.

Later, the guests were treated to a carabao race at the Minglanilla Central School grounds.

And like previous Suroy-Suroy organized by the Cebu Provincial Government headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia, the guests were welcomed in every town or city included in the tour with a cultural dance and a song number.

Nancy Cortes, a 54-year-old balikbayan, said her sister-in-law convinced her to join the tour because it’s a “nice” experience.

“Nindot kaayo (It’s very nice),” Nancy said of her first day of the two-day tour.

In Naga City, the tourists also visited the 182-year-old church St. Francis of Assissi.

Another first-time tour participant, Wolfgang, a German national and a senior citizen, found the tour very exciting.

He said that he found out about the “tour” in the newspaper advertisement.

“I saw the ads. This tour was nicely organized. It’s my first time to join this kind of tour,” Wolfgang said.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Cebu Provincial Board Member Julian Daan, Cebu Provincial Police Director Patrocino Comendador and Police Regional Director Marcelo Garbo also joined the tour.

The guests were given the chance to taste the delicacies in the south like the pan Bisaya (Visayan bread), puto balanghoy, Valenciana, biko, bud-bud, bitso-bitso, among others.

Lechon (roasted pig) was also served in San Fernando town. And the guests had a sumptuous lunch in Sibonga town before they visited the Simala Church.

The tourists also visited Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy and Boljoon town.

Today, the guests will tour Oslob, Santander, Samboan, Ginatilan, Malabuyioc, Alegria, Badian, Kawasan and Moalboal.

Meanwhile, Governor Garcia also invited 50 members of different gangs in Cebu, who signed a peace treaty in Minglanilla town.

The gang members came from the Bloods, Crips, and Hardcore.

The treaty aimed to stop hostilities between the gang members.

Aside from the the gang leaders, the treaty was also signed by Minglanilla Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and Association of Barangay Councils president Manolo Delgado.