Every year, the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo happens during the month of January. It is initiated by the government of Cebu City to showcase the wonders of Cebu Island. This activity is headed by our Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to promote tourism and discover the different history of locals. In our dialect, suroy-suroy means "to stroll" or "wander from one place to another". So it's exactly how the tourists are doing when joining the said activity. They called this Northern Escapade 2025.
Last January 23, 2025 was the kick-off of Suroy-suroy Sugbo where they first visited the Municipality of Consolacion. And the same date I was one of the chosen teachers to become a tour guide on the following day which was on Saturday. We had a meeting together with Ms. Marnelli who trains and guides us all throughout the event. We have given the spiel to talk through on the bus. Also, we have to dig more into the history of Tabogon as well as the "must-visit" tourist spots.
The Day Has Come
January 25, 2025, Saturday, was the day we have been waiting for. I could feel the pressure as well as excitement when I finally saw how they prepared a lot from the venue up to the food preparation. I can see how eager they were just to serve our guests, celebrities, and the governor. The tourists consist of retired professionals, foreigners, and vloggers. This festive activity excites everyone as every municipality gives its best of the best.
Tabogon was also known for being one of the joyous people in the northern part of Cebu. So the LGU came up with the idea of Carnival theme Kasadya sa Tabogon!. Where the tourists must see the joyful amusement party with the Ferris wheel, perya (games we can only find at the amusement by betting coins), playing station for kids, and other rides.
It's enticing to see the radiant, lively, and vibrant color of the theme this year. It's like hypnotizing my inner child wanting to play and eat rainbow lollipops. Hehe.
Furthermore, each of the tables has a bus number so that the guests and visitors would be able to locate it more easily. It has plates, spoons and forks, and souvenirs including bamboo stems for drinking water, a purse with tablets, and others.
Before the very hour of tour guiding, I, Sir RB, and Ma'am Sol had a souvenir photo as we came from one school and one of the core memories to keep in this festive event outside of school.
While waiting for the signal to go, I had a great time roaming around the venue, only to find out that they displayed the products of Tabogon! I didn't see it coming. Hmmm
Well, the first stall I visited was a bunch of baskets made of ratan comes in different sizes and shapes. This is a very useful product perfect for a business of beach resorts that are used to accent the angles, and put accessories in it, too.
The rest of the stalls are products produced and locally made in Tabogon. We have different kinds of vegetables, poultry salty eggs, vinegar made from tuba or fermented coconut juice, and others.
The coordinator signaled us to finally go to the coaster so we would be there at the bus stop where we welcome them. And here I am having to take a pause and pose to loosen up my nervousness. I admit, for the longest time of facing the crowd, I can still feel the butterflies in stomach. I know, this is a bit different from entertaining the crowd in school yet this is a bus, and might need some strength to position myself.
Alright! This is it pancit! I should face this since I accept the challenge. Huuuh! Aja!
At the boundary of barangay Somosa and Bogo City, where we welcome the tourists.
We arrived there at 12:30, and while waiting, we chitchatted with colleagues to at least make connections with them. We brought two bags of gifts for each tour guide to let them interact and have a jolly trip to the heart of Tabogon. They arrived at 2:30 like we were waiting for 2 hours, still, it's okay because we're truly waiting for them.
On the bus, I can feel the moment of this is it!
Though I don't have pictures on the bus yet I can feel how happy they were to know Tabogon and each of the barangays we passed by. They were participative and active in answering my questions, too. When we arrived at the venue, everything went sunk in. I'm truly a tour guide for a day🙏🥰. Thank you, God, for the strength and guidance 🙏.
I was assigned to Bus number 8 and I'm making everyone on the bus locate and sit comfortably on their tables. The main tour guides on the bus were giving me a color-coding flaglet so that the tourists could easily see their table.
The kitchen was starting to serve the delicacies like sweet potato, corn, and banana. We also have peanut Taffe, biko, puto, bukhayo, and others.
I was amazed by this foreign woman who took lots of the food and shared everything with the people who attended the event. People were in doubt if they should accept it since the LGU prepared it for them. However, the woman truly insists, so the people happily accept what she has given.
Guests and Celebrities
I never thought that they invited celebrities to this event! I personally agree with these personalities that they have an attractive physique, and beautiful faces as well! They're far more beautiful and handsome in person than on television. Like Senator Bong Revilla, Beauty Gonzales, JM Dela Cerna, Marielle Montellano, and Niño Mulach.
Tabogon prepared lots of performances like performing the Tabogon theme song, dancing and singing with elementary graders, ancouldhe most awaited performance of Marielle singing on stage! The visitors are entertained by her angelic voice and also by the special participation of JM, her ka-duet.
Such an extraordinary experience to witness this kind of event!
After the event, picture-taking is everywhere! I'm almost to capture the moment with JM but I was shy, and introverted at that time. So, it's just a picture of him pushed by his manager.
In my mind, So I guess my day ends with no selfies with celebrities.
Then one of our colleagues told us to go back at mayor's office so we can have our dinner. We were so happy at lecould we can eat lechon, hehe. When there, a personnel came out and told us to wait for a while.
When we entered the room, it was not full of food but full of personalities so we had picture-taking with them.
I cannot contain the happiness I felt this time. We may not have our dinner but it's more than a dinner having meet and greet them. Thanks God for this opportunity.
This is one of kind experience and will cherish this forever. Thanks Hive for keeping this memory of me🙏🫰.
That's it hivers. Thank you for reading my Suroy2x Sugbo Escapade. Keep safe everyone. Toodles 🫰😉!
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