For their impressive performances that give pride to Cebuanos, Gov. Gwen Garcia has extended P500,000 financial assistance to all contingents of the Hinulawan Festival.
This as the governor also gave an additional subsidy of P3 million to Toledo City, for a total of P8 million excluding the P1 million that Capitol is giving to all participating local government units (LGUs) in the Suroy Suroy Sugbo Explore the Midwest leg.(Read separate story: CAPITOL ADDS P1M SUBSIDY TO MIDWEST LGUs)
“Saon man ni wa ra ba gyud tawon nangayo, nagpasumbingay lang. Busa Mayor Joy, kun mosugot pud ka, moabag nalang pud ang probinsiya -- P3 million alang sa dakbayan sa Toledo,” the governor said.
In her speech, which was delivered at the end of the performances, and which also serves as her customary end-of-message for the suroy suroy, the governor highlighted how each performances outdo each other for giving out their best.
“Busa, aron masayod ang mga pinalangga kong Toledonhon, nga kining inyong gihimo karon nakahatag og dakong garbo natong mga Sugbuhanon. Kay karon, covered ni (livestream), makapaingon sa uban, pagka grabe diha sa Toledo, di man diay matayo tayo. Gipangulbaan na ang uban nga lungsod,” Gov. Gwen said to the cheering crowd who were eagerly waiting for her announcement.
The Hinulawan Festival serves as the grand finale of the 3-day countryside tourism adventure which kicked-off on Saturday in Tabuelan, Tuburan and Asturias, to the hidden gems of Aloguinsan and the rich-agriculture produce of Balamban for its second day, and a visit to Cebu’s industrial hub in Balamban, to its final destination in the city known for its copper mining industry, on Monday.
For the first time, this circuit of the suroy suroy had three stops in various locations that offered different experiences for guests.
Suroy suroy participants were first brought to the Carmen Copper Heritage Center for an educational tour of the history of the mining company, considered the country’s largest copper mine until it closed in 1994, and was later rehabilitated in 2007 until its full operation the following year. Carmen Copper, a subsidiary of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation (ACMDC), is the sole extractive mining company operating in the province of Cebu.
Their next stop was at the state-of-the-art Toledo City Sports Center or the Megadome where they were treated with a fusion of hip-hop and traditional Filipino dance presentations, serenaded by a ukulele ensemble from the Capt. Claudio Elementary School, a singing chorale of teachers, to a duet of one of Cebuano’s favorite ditty on courtship, “Pasayawa ko Day” (May I dance with You, Girl).
They were then ushered to the venue for the grand showdown of the Hinulawan Festival where contingents from 10 clustered barangays (Toledo City has 38 barangays) showcased cultural dance movements with precision and grace worthy of the dance festival such as the Pasigarbo.
“Upat ka busloads nia nidagsa nganhi sa Toledo aron makakita sa usa ka performance of the Hinulawan, di lang usa, napulo, nga ang matag performance daw mosamot kanindot, maglibog ta hai niini ang angay ipagawas nga grand champion,” the governor said.
Monday's closing of the Suroy Suroy midwest circuit, indeed, was worthy of its comeback since it was last held in 2011, according to the governor.
“But this I can say, with what we have witnessed, what a fitting finale to the Suroy Suroy Sugbo Midwest experience!” Gov. Gwen said. ##