Gov. Gwen Garcia and Department of Tourism (DOT) Usec. Shalimar Tamano led the official launching of Medellin as the newest diving attraction in Cebu, featuring its newly discovered dive sites near Gibitngil Island in Barangay Kawit.
The launching coincided with the kick-off ceremony of DOT’s DIVE7 Festival in Medellin on May 25.
“There is so much to enjoy, to experience in Medellin, and this is just the beginning,” Gov. Garcia said.
DIVE7 aims to promote the various dive destinations in Central Visayas. Its theme of “Shoot, Ride, and Dive” reflected the varied tourism offerings of the municipality.
Gov. Garcia and other officials did a ceremonial tee off at the Queen’s Island Golf and Resort; fun ride along the scenic 7.5 km Aisle of Medellin, and handgun shooting activity at the Achiever’s Firing Range inside the 53rd Engineering Brigade.
“Kini ang pinaka-unique, dinhi ra sa Medellin,” Gov. Garcia said in her speech. “While in other places, the activity would be confined to diving; over here, we not only dive — we shoot, we ride, and we tee off!” she added.
Usec. Tamano, who also sits as concurrent regional director of DOT 7, believed that more and more dive enthusiasts will be attracted to the hidden wonders of Medellin’s waters after the DOT has given greenlight for tourism-related scuba diving activities in the municipality.