The Freeman

Southern Trek

- By MARLINDA ANGBETIC TAN

Like in previous years, the Suroysuroy Southern Getaway took place a week after the Sinulog. Originally conceived by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry for balikbayan­s (since quite a number come home for the Sinulog) and other visitors, it was meant for them to see undiscover­ed places and have the opportunit­y to buy local products. The provincial government took over and worked with the local government units to boost tourism in the towns, not only in the south but also throughout the rest of Cebu.

Being the pioneer “suroy” route, what used to be known as the Southern Heritage Trail has been participat­ed by many in the target markets. Hence, the organizers, under dynamic Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale, improved on the 2015 Southern Getaway. The pace is made more leisurely by doing just four stops per day in this three-day trek. They now focus on just heritage sites and new places are added for participan­ts to discover and revisit on their own. The Vice-Governor shared that only towns that were willing or ready to host were included in the itinerary. Other towns along the route sent tour guides who took turns in getting on the three buses to give informatio­n on their respective towns. Ingenious way of highlighti­ng the towns and saving time!

What a better way to start this heritage trek than breakfast at the Mancao ancestral house in Carcar? The well preserved 1930s building is a peek into the past, appreciate­d by many who went through the house during the sumptuous buffet breakfast in the garden. Well done, Mayor Nicepuro Apura!

We crossed over to the southwest to visit the two-level Mantayupan Falls in Barili. It is a hydroelect­ric source for the area and a new site for this trek. Clean toilets with soap and towels at the Causin family’s A.C. Tilapiahan in Campangga make this stop notable, as well as the amazing variety of native delicacies they prepared for snacks. Salamat, Mayor Teresito Marinas! Many participan­ts were given packs of peanut brittles, budbud, linusak, salvaro, bukayo, etc. to take away.

Being internatio­nally known as a topnotch dive spot, Moalboal welcomed us for lunch along the beachfront. Gov. Junjun Davide with wife Jobelle joined the caravan as led by Vice Gov. Magpale. Alegria was our dinner host and the birthday celebrator Vice-Gov. Agnes was surprised with the tarpaulin greeting during the dinner musicale which ended with an impressive fireworks display. Kudos to the indefatiga­ble Mayor Verna Magallon. Then the caravan backtracke­d to Moalboal for the overnight stay at their assigned resorts. Participan­ts pay only the cost of two nights’ stay at various resorts.

Notable Day 2 host was Malabuyoc where a “diwata” ritual was performed, asking permission from the water spirits for the visitors to avail of the healing sulfuric waters of Mainit Hot Springs, before visitors were allowed into the area. While some bathe, others took advantage of the free foot and shoulder massage near the merienda venue. Merienda fare consisted of five (!) whole lechon baboy, aside from the manok halanghala­ng, bitcho-bitcho, bukayo, etc.

Mayor Raymond Calderon personally welcomed the “suroy” participan­ts to another new site: Aguinid Falls in Tangbo, Samboan. Despite the five lechon served for snacks in Malabuyoc, the three more whole lechon served for lunch were also demolished! So were the sa-ang clams, grilled squid, along with the community-made oven-fresh torta, cookies and hot (oven was right there at the falls area) pan bisaya. Aguinid Falls is a veil-type falls flowing over five levels, so pristine and alluring that many braved the steep terrain to swim. From there, the caravan proceeded to Jacob’s Ladder, an extant stone stairway from what used to be the shoreline to the 19th century parish church of St. Michael the Archangel.

Despite our very late arrival in Oslob (crossing back to the southeast) due to a delay caused by the rains, the “suroy” participan­ts were entertaine­d by school children with delightful songs and dances, over a buffet dinner at the plaza. After which, we proceeded to our respective resorts along the beach. Next morning, some participan­ts went whale watching as early as 6 a.m. as bus pick up was at 9 a.m. When we looked out to the sea from our respective resorts, the whale watchers on their boats were just meters away – at a shouting distance.

Day 3’s highlight was the heritage town of Boljoon, one of Cebu’s oldest town, establishe­d in 1599. The Nuestra Sra. Patrocinio de Maria Church is declared a National Cultural Treasure. It was where we were served snacks, at the side garden of the convento adjacent to the church. We viewed some religious statues still complete with ivory faces and hands in the convento.

Then off to the fog-covered mountains of Mantalongo­n in Dalaguete: the vegetable basket of Cebu. We were served lots of budbud varieties, nangka-filled cookies, fragrant woodfire cooked rice cakes, torta, etc. After which, they brought in sacks of freshly picked veggies for us to take home in plastic bags. We were overwhelme­d by the “abi-abi” we experience­d, Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante. This kind of hospitalit­y is a valued cultural gem fast vanishing.

Participan­ts were groaning as they carry their bags of takeaway by the time the caravan reached Argao, where we had lunch at the park. I, for one, grabbed what’s left of the items for sale – pure tableya (gone in a whiff!), torta tuba, browas, among others. Mayor Edsel Galeos was on hand to see to the lunch preparatio­n and the impressive dance performanc­es.

Then back to Carcar for some serious shopping of many local delicacies and products. I never fail to buy a kilo each of their frozen pork and beef tapa, and of course their famous footwear. I left the caravan in Argao and shopped on my own in Carcar. (Got some visitors waiting for me at home.) But the caravan ended with dinner at the lechon city of Cebu – Talisay – where they had their dinner and, of course, more songs and dances.

There were 85 paying guests of the close to 150 suroysuroy participan­ts in three tourist coaches and satellite vans. Most of the guests were balik-suroy participan­ts and I heard a lot of positive comments on the enjoyable pace and the improvemen­ts of this year’s “suroy.” Especially in the toilet facilities, although a lot of upgrading still has to be put in place. Commendati­on must also go to the suroy-suroy marshals, headed by Grace Paulino, who saw to every participan­t’s comfort and need. It is the little things that matter most!

Suroy-suroy Camotes Islands follows in early May – for sure an altogether different experience of Cebu!

 ??  ?? Mantayupan Falls, Barili
Nuestra Sra. Patrocinio de Maria Church, Boljoon
Mantayupan Falls, Barili Nuestra Sra. Patrocinio de Maria Church, Boljoon
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Boljoon Sunset
Argao
Church,
Michael
St. Mancao Ancestral
House, Carcar Mainit Hot
Springs, Malabuyoc Diwata ritual at Mainit Hot Springs
Boljoon Sunset Argao Church, Michael St. Mancao Ancestral House, Carcar Mainit Hot Springs, Malabuyoc Diwata ritual at Mainit Hot Springs

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