Less stops, longer Suroy tour in Camotes trail

LESS stopovers meant more time for participants of the Suroy Suroy Camotes trail to savor the sights, sounds and food of the towns covered in their itineraries. Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Paulino said the three days and two nights they spent in the towns of San Francisco, Tudela and Poro in Camotes Island mean additional income for local resorts. "We gave more time to the participants to really explore the towns. They're not just there to eat and leave, but to spend more time in the areas," Paulino said. In previous years, the Suroy-Suroy Camotes trail was only two days and one night and had more stops. This year, Suroy-Suroy organizers excluded Pilar town from the itinerary. Paulino said she consulted with the towns and they agreed with the shortened itinerary. "Anyway, Pilar town is represented by the products sold in the stops and their tourism officer is present," she said. On the second day of the Camotes trail, the group attended Mass at San Francisco and stopped by the Sto. Niño church in Poro town. They headed to Bukilat Cave in Tudela town where lunch was also served. The cave was named after Datu Bukilat who discovered the cave during World War II and is famous for its seven natural windows which allow sunlight to seep into the cave. Its water is also believed by locals to have healing abilities. Before entering the cave, a ritual was performed by 87-year old Valentina Lanuza, the granddaughter of Bukilat. The ritual involves lighting an incense and letting a raw egg stand up, which meant that the "agta" (a black skinned giant) guarding the cave allows visitors to come in. Inside the cave, the participants were greeted with people dressed as fairies and mermaids. The group then visited Buho Rock Resort in Poro located atop a rock cliff which resembles a docking ship. They were greeted by cultural presentations of bandoria and rondalla groups. Small boats with flags and streamers bearing the words "welcome visitors" were sailing past. At Buho Rock Resort the contingent was welcomed by Poro Mayor Luciano "Boy" Rama who sang with the rondalla group after a participant requested him to render a song number. The group then had dinner by the beach at Mangodlong Rock Resort and then spent the rest of the evening enjoying the amenities of their respective resorts. The next Suroy-Suroy trail will be in midwestern Cebu sometime in June, Paulino said. /Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Correspondent