“Naiwan ang puso ko sa Camotes Islands.”
This was how Senator Robin Padilla summed up his two-day Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Enchanting Camotes Experience before flying back to Manila on April 16.
The senator accompanied Gov. Gwen Garcia and the Suroy-Suroy guests in the tourism caravan across four LGUs of Camotes, namely Pilar, Tudela, San Francisco, and Poro.
The guests boarded an Oceanjet vessel at the Cebu City Pier Uno on the way to Camotes Group of Islands on April 15, and boarded the same vessel in going back to Cebu City the next day.
In Pilar, the first stop, they feasted on the town’s rich marine harvests and enjoyed cultural performances. Sen. Padilla was so elated that he donated P30 million in developmental funds for Pilar.
Crossing over to mainland Camotes, the delegation was treated to the serene ambiance of Lake Danao where Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and husband Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco joined them.
In Santiago Bay, they feasted on a sumptuous dinner and danced the night away through the local baile.
Tudela’s by-the-bay breakfast and Poro’s grand finale capped the Enchanting Camotes Experience; but not before Senator Padilla got to enjoy the view of the Buho Rock as well as inspected the up-and-coming Camotes Islands Airport, where he also promised to allocate budget for its development.
“Our children have to grow up appreciating our culture and our heritage; because if we do not do that, they will never have a sense of identity. And if you don’t have a sense of identity, you would never have pride of place,” the governor said in Poro.
Sen. Padilla said he would like to bring the Suroy-Suroy Experience to his home province in the Cordillera, adding that his office is very much willing to fund its realization.
“Maging proud po kayo, ipagmalaki niyo po ang inyong gobernadora,” Sen. Padilla said in his speech. “Mahalin natin ang gobernor ninyo sapagkat ipinaglalaban niya kayo,” he added.