Suroy-Suroy Sugbu 2018 impresses guests

The three-day, two-night Suroy-Suroy Sugbo 2018 Adventure Round South successfully ended last Jan. 26 with 37 guests, mostly balikbayans, in praise of Cebu’s cultural heritage, attractions, and hospitality.

“Akong na-amaze-san gyud kay welcome ta tanan sa kada town ba…. Nindot kaayo ang hospitality ((What amazed me so much was we were made to feel welcome by each town…. Their hospitality was very nice),” said first-time participant Heracleo Salgado, 76, a Madridejos native who left the country for the United States in 1976.

He and the other 36 guests went to the towns of San Fernando, Argao, Dalaguete, Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, Santander, Ginatilan, Alegria, Moalboal, and Barili, as well as the cities of Carcar and Talisay. They got to taste local food and delicacies, like Talisay City’s famous lechon, and were treated to cultural presentations and local dance and songs.

A few of the participants also went swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, canyoneering in Alegria, and waterfall trekking in Samboan.

They likewise visited churches, including listening to Argao town’s newly restored church pipe organ; inspected colonial era structures like Oslob’s cuartel (barracks) and Boljoon’s El Gran Baluarte (grand watchtower); paid homage to San Pedro Calungsod at his shrine in Ginatilan; and learned organic farming in Alegria, among other activities.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale urged the guests to spread the news about their Cebu experience.

“Please tell your relatives and friends…maanindot na kaayo ang Sugbu nga inyong gibiyaan (that the Cebu you have left behind is now very splendid),” she said.

She also thanked the participating towns and cities for the hospitality they have shown the guests and for trying to “outdo” each other in making the guests feel at home.