Month: February 2013

  • Suroy suroy evolution

    Travel

    CEBU, Philippines - For every guest who’ve joined the Suroy Suroy Sugbo, what would stand out in any of the escapades would be the festive atmosphere in every town visited, thanks to the many students waving banners to the passing convoy of buses; the seemingly unlimited supply of food; the gifts of local delicacies and products; the speeches of local politicians colored by greetings and praises for the Governor and, in some instances, her entourage of politicians and other VIPs; the festival dances that seemed to be the same everywhere except for the costumes; and the cultural shows that would include presentations that many of us believed to have gone extinct like the balitaw and other local dances, stage plays, and songs; and, yes, did I mention food?

    Despite the hectic itinerary, it is an activity that many locals and out-of-towners look forward to.

    Back then, it was merely a “teaser” for visitors on what they would expect and what they could experience should they choose to linger longer in a certain place. At the same time, it informs stakeholders in the travel industry that Cebu still has many destinations to offer, thus the flock of tour and travel agents joining in.

    Already, one could categorically say that through the Suroy Suroy program many towns and cities have seen the potential in developing tour destinations and activities in their localities, one of these would be Aloguinsan that decided to develop a brand of its own and is now enjoying a steady stream of visitors benefiting many of its local enterprises.

    I reckoned that that was the goal of Suroy Suroy – to highlight the many unknown destinations of the province – and it was successful at that, the reason why the Province’s legislative body institutionalized the project through a measure authored by Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy.

    Last January 23 to 25, around 140 visitors – mostly balikbayans – were once again treated to a series of visits to the province’s southern get-away and heritage places with the promise that they would not only be introduced to the places but they would also be given enough time to enjoy and experience these places.

    The places visited included San Fernando, Argao, Oslob’s Sumilon Island, and Santander on the first day; Samboan on the second day with time to tour the town’s significant historical sites and relax in the refreshing waters of Kawasan Falls; Ronda, Barili and Talisay City on the third day.

    I was fortunate enough to join the first day of this edition of the Suroy Suroy and having joined previous Suroy Suroys, I would personally say that this improved version has truly made the program into something much more marketable.

    What Cebu may have lacked in terms of activities for tourists to do for them to stay long term in Cebu like amusement parks, the Suroy Suroy could well compensate.

    Local businesswoman Victorina Mataragnon said that she first joined the Suroy Suroy program a few years ago for her to see the different places in Cebu. She admitted that, despite being a Cebuana, there are still many places in the province that she has yet to explore.

    Paul Wing who’s on his sixth time to join the Suroy Suroy said, “We’ve seen how each year it seems to have improved – more dancing, a lot more preparation is done on it, and it is more comfortable for us as a tourist to come and keep visiting.”

    “This one is different because it allows more time for us to see the sites,” he said, adding, “we have gone here a number of times and we’ve enjoyed it immensely.”

    Wing together with his wife have now moved to Cebu from Vancouver, Canada, and said that since joining the Suroy Suroy they’ve visited the different places in the province on their own to further explore, bringing with them visitors and guests from Canada.

     

    Balik Cebu’s Tetta Baad expressed her pleasure at how the Suroy Suroy has evolved saying that this is how she envisioned the program when she conceptualized it back in the early 2000s in response to the need for a countryside tourism program and as a project for the Cebu Business Month. She said that it was Magpale, as a member of Balik Cebu, who introduced the concept to Governor Gwen Garcia.

    Garcia adapted the program and successfully turned it into a product and a brand that would entice many visitors to join.

    In the one day that I joined Suroy Suroy Sugbo 2013 – Southern Getaway, I could say that there is indeed a stark difference from previous Suroy Suroys.

    No more political speeches by local politicians, lesser and more reasonable serving of food, and certainly more time to enjoy and immerse oneself in the places being visited.

    I would say that it has evolved into an even more marketable product, which Acting Governor Magpale said would be easier to pass on and promote to local tour agencies.

    Yes, Cebu does not have amusement parks, but it has the Suroy Suroy which allows visitors to interact more with the locals, giving local flavor to their visit to the province.

    First saw print in The FREEMAN (Cebu's newspaper since 1919) on 24 February 2013 and subsequently published in PhilStar.com.

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  • Comfort in a cup at Kikok's

    Food

    CEBU, Philippines - Imagine a sanctuary in the middle of a busy city where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful aroma of a warm cup of coffee. That is exactly what you’ll experience at Kikok’s Pastry Kafe.

    At first look, one would think that Kikok’s is but another misplaced shop in a location otherwise dominated by surplus shops and other industrial companies, but when you enter their humble abode, you will forget that you are actually in a place replete with all the trappings of a busy industrial street.

    This is not just another coffee shop in the mall, but a haven, a small plot of bliss tucked safely along the busy M.L. Quezon Street in Cabangcalan, Mandaue City, where most of the vehicles that pass are either large trucks or heavy equipment.

    The front may not be that extraordinary, but then just like all treasures it is what’s in the inside that’s really priceless.

    Kikok’s started out of a passion – the passion to bake and the passion to serve.

    Jay Fernandez’s love for cooking was not hindered by the fact that his line of business and expertise is printing, advertising, and marketing when he decided to venture into a business that he is not as familiar with.

    It all started there, baking out of passion. And since it opened last January 8, the coffee shop-cum-bakeshop has earned a loyal following, not just in terms of walk-in clients but also with corporate clients who order bread and cakes in bulk.

    But more than bread and cakes, Kikok’s also serves lunch and dinner. And although the menu is not as extensive and fancy, it’s the taste that captures the essence of home cooking that would truly make one want to take the time to travel to this somewhat remote location.

    Want to experience something different? Kikok’s Pastry Kafe is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. For orders and reservations, call 3182195 or 2382847.

    First saw print in The FREEMAN on 26 February 2013 and subsequently published in PhilStar.com.

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  • C2's unlimited treats

    Food


    The FREEMAN
    's General Manager Melandro M. Mendoza

    CEBU, Philippines - Can’t decide where to spend a relaxing afternoon in uptown Cebu?

    Head on to Summit Circle’s C2 Classic Cuisine and try out their Unlimited Coffee and Cake.

    For only P199, enjoy a bottomless cup of hot or cold brewed coffee and indulge in the silkiest and moistest cake this side of town.

    Ube Langka Sans Rival

    Choose from the restaurants many cakes. Its best sellers are Banana Caramel Rum Cake, Chocolate Moist Cake (my personal favorite), Ube Langka Sans Rival, and Mango Caramel Cake.

    As much as you can taste all of the cakes, there’s just one rule, said C2’s sales and marketing manager Jaybee Flores-Aquino, and that is to first finish your slice of cake before getting another one. Of course, waste not, want not.


    Banana Caramel Rum Cake

    And if healthy is your thing, C2 also has something for you – unlimited soup and salad at the Soup and Salad Soiree, for only P149.00.

    Enjoy the many choices of greens and other vegetables topped with your choice of dressings – from the ever reliable Thousand Island dressing to simpler vinaigrettes.

    The best part of the treat is that you would get to enjoy the coffee’s beautiful aroma in one of the best spots in uptown Cebu, overlooking the historic Fuente Osmeña Circle and the busy Gen. Maxilom Avenue.


    Chocolate Moist Cake

    UCC is available everyday from 2 to 6 pm, while the Soup and Salad Soiree is from 11 am to 2 pm and from 6 to 10 pm, daily. For inquiries and reservation, call 2393000. C2 Classic Cuisine is owned and operated by the Cravings Group, Inc. They are located in the 4th level of Summit Circle Hotel.

    First saw print in The FREEMAN on 26 February 2013 and subsequently published in Philstar.com.

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  • A to Z Chinese New Year Guide

    Culture

    On February 10, the world's Chinese community will be saying goodbye to the dragon as it shed's off its scales revealing a black water snake within.

    Allow me to give you a rundown to some of the more common Chinese traditions, food, beliefs, and superstitions most prevalent during this most auspicious day of the Chinese calendar.

    Apples and dried apricots are not just served and offered to visitors and friends, but are also offered to the family's ancestors and gods. Apples symbolize peace and wisdom, while apricots bring wealth.

    Bamboo shoots are served during the Chinese New Year season. Its Chinese term, zhu sun jian, sounds like a wish for wealth and a new start.

    Chicken, duck, or fish dishes are a common sight in many Chinese tables during this season. Fish, for one, should be served whole as it represents togetherness, and so with the chicken, for prosperity.

    Dragon dance is performed by a team of dancers with the dragon held on poles. It is believed that the dragon brings good luck, and it is for this reason that aside from the celebration of the Chinese New Year, dragon dances are also performed at the opening of business establishments.

    Eight treasure rice is a traditional dessert served on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year season. This is a sweet dish made of glutinous rice and eight kinds of dried fruits. Although no two eight treasure rice is the same, the most common fruits used are dates, lotus seeds, red and green plums, cherries, orange, red bean paste, and raisins.

    Firecrackers are a must when greeting the Chinese New Year. They say the louder the firecrackers, the better, although, for safety reasons, it is better to leave this part of the festivity to the experts. The loud noise of the firecrackers is believed to help chase away the last year's bad luck while attracting the attention of the God of Good Fortune and Wealth.

    Ghost stories are a big no during the Chinese New Year season, and so are talks of death and dying. Rather, prefer to attract good vibrations by sending good wishes and talking of good things and blessings.

    Hong bao (Mandarin) or Ang pow (Hokkien) is a red envelope filled with money and is given to children or unemployed young adults. This symbolizes good will, good luck, and good fortune.

    Improve your financial health by paying off your debts. The Chinese believes that if you start your year in debt, you will live the rest of your year in debt.

    Jie Cai Ceng is the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. It is believed that on this day the gods of prosperity, Cai Shen, descends from the heavens. The gods of wealth and prosperity are greeted with a feast of dumplings and firecrackers.

    Kumquat or kiat-kiat is a small citrus fruit displayed during the New Year season to attract good luck and good fortune. These are the most common gifts when visiting friends and family during the New Year season.

    Lion dance is more or less the same as the dragon dance, but instead of the dragon, dancers use the lion. The main difference is that with the lion dance, there are only two dancers and they are rarely seen as they are part of the lion.

    Mixed vegetables symbolize harmony in relationships. A famous Chinese-Singaporean traditional salad is yee sang or yu sheng, which is tossed fresh vegetables, fruits, and fresh fish. Tossing yee sang ensures good luck, prosperity, and good health for all those who participate in the tossing.

    Niangao or tikoy is glutinous rice cake and eating it during the Chinese New Year is considered good luck. The cake can be eaten as is or in the country it is popularly dipped in egg and then fried. Usually, this is given as a gift to family and friends to promote togetherness.

    Oranges with leaves intact is a great gift to friends and family during the Chinese New Year season. For starting families, receiving a bag of oranges with their leaves intact is considered favorable as it symbolizes the giver's wish for the family to have many children.

    Pineapple is said to be the best fruit to stock on when greeting the snake. The fruit symbolizes wealth, luck (including gambling luck), and fortune.

    Qipao or cheongsam is a traditional Chinese dress. Its male version is the changpao. The dress was popular in the late 1600s but is now worn only during formal occasions. Get into the festival mood and get one of these stylish dresses in red.

    Red is definitely the color of the season. In Chinese culture, red is the color of good luck, so it is never a bad idea to overdo on the red. Stock up on red clothes, red fashion accessories, and everything and anything red.

    Song gao or loose cake is made of rice flour, sugar, water, and azuki beans. It is decorated with a variety of fruits and nuts including pine nuts, walnut, dates, mint, lotus seed, and others. The cake symbolizes blessings and is usually given to family and friends.

    Tangyuan is usually eaten during the lantern festival to promote family togetherness. Tangyuan is made of glutinous rice mixed with a little water and then rolled into a ball. This is then cooked and served in boiling water.

    Unload the dirt on the day before the start of the New Year, and on New Years Eve, all cleaning implements should be put away and hidden from sight. On New Year's Day, sweeping and cleaning is forbidden as it is believed to also sweep away the good fortune, but after that, the floors can be swept but the dirt can only be taken out of the house on the fifth day of the New Year celebration.

    Vegetarian dishes are served on the thirteenth day of the Chinese New Year season. This is to cleanse the body of the toxins from consuming too much meat in the last weeks.

    Wan Shi Ru Yi. Let's expand your Chinese New Year greeting from merely Kung Hei Fat Choi (Congratulations and be prosperous!), to also include Wan Shi Ru Yi, which means "May all your wishes be fulfilled."

    Xiangjiao or banana is used as an altar offering when one asks for better education and good work performance.

    Yuan xiao jie or the lantern festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year season. It falls on the night of the first full moon of the Chinese calendar, marking the end of the New Year season. Traditionally yuanxiao dumplings or sticky rice with sweet or savory fillings is served on this day. This year it falls on February 24.

    Zha doufu or fried tofu looks like gold nuggets and therefore symbolizes wealth. It is not only served together with other dishes during the New Year feast, but is also used to offer to one's ancestors and gods.

    So, do you still feel like you are missing on something for this year's Chinese New Year celebration? Check the ABC's and you would be as close to complete as you could possibly be.

    Kung hei fat choi!

    Photos: Snake decoration - Telegraph/REUTERS/May Nagi; Eight treasure rice - yi reservation; Qipao - China Travel Discovery, Video: Lion dance - YouTube, Yee Sang - The Star Online on YouTube, Fireworks - Grandpa Dave's Playlist on YouTube.

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