Awed by the multi-media presentation of the adventure sites of ZamboSur flashed while the Melengas Dance Ensemble and KaZaulogan Performing Arts performed on stage, Mayor Aldong declared, he and his officialdom will surely visit Zamboanga del Sur come September during her 56th founding anniversary.

Firstly, he thanked Governor Auring, Congressman Tony Cerilles and Board Member Flaviano Fucoy (who represented the Governor) for including Ozamis City in its itinerary. “Na-impress kaayo mi sa inyong pasunyadayag nga maoy mitak-op sa usa ka bulan namong pagselebrar sa among pista. Nindot kaayo ang inyong presentation og duna na moy ikapasigarbo bisan pa sa laing nasud ug sa uban pang mga lugar dinhi sa ato,” Aldong extolled the whole presentation in vernacular.

City Councilor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, likewise praised how ZamboSur showcased its tourism promotion.

Councilor Echavez is Aldong’s daughter, saying, “daku kaayo ang nahatud nga epekto sa presentasyon sa katawhan diri sa Ozamis – moingon sila laag ta sa ZamboSur…. Surely makab-ot gyud ninyo ang success sa pagpromote sa inyong turismo… From it, we, in Ozamis also get input on how to promote our city,” she declared.

Other Ozamis City officials who witnessed the presentation were City Councilors Simplicia “Bebe” Neri (chair committee on Tourism) and Taryn Mecaros; City Tourism Officer Annie Abad, City Accountant Cynthia Ferrarin; CSWDO Ludy Salud Raras, Chief of Staff Mike Ochate and City Police Chief Wilbur Salaguste.

Officials of Ozamis Red Rose Jaycees International led by its president Lilibeth Lim were also among the hundreds spectators of the show. Their eyes were glued on the presentation so with the students and small children present. They said the show was spectacular that portrayed the unique cultural heritage of Zambosurians.

“Laag ZamboSur”, according to Provincial Tourism Officer Anthony Frederick “Taton” Padayhag is a tagline of the aggressive effort of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Government in promoting its tourism to neighboring provinces especially in Northern Mindanao from Ozamis City, up to Cagayan de Oro and as far as Butuan City. Its first leg was Ozamis City for two days - July 30 in La Salle University and at Cotta, Ozamis the next night. At the later part of August Laag ZamboSur team will also invade Lim Kit Kai in Cagayan de Oro and Butuan City.

Padayhag told the Press Bureau that at La Salle , their audiences were students and faculty members. For hosting Laag Zambosur, the school’s student society for culture and arts was able to raise fund as they collected admission fee at P30 each while at Cotta, Mayor Aldong spared his constituents from paying.

The thrust of Cerilles Administration is to cultivate and develop local talents and it gained support from the National Commission on Culture and Arts and the Greater Pagadian Jaycees.

At the Cotta show, Governor Cerilles through Board Member Flaviano Fucoy, Jr. has invited Ozamisnon to come and explore ZamboSur’s adventure and tourist destinations such as: lake cruising at Lakewood town and Lake Maragang (Tigbao); mountain trekking at Mount Timolan Protected Landscape (Tigbao); diving at world class dive sites in Tabina, Triton (Vincenzo Sagun); Panikian (Pitogo); Bibilik (Dumalinao); Camp Rebi (San Pablo) and in Tukuran.

Likewise, one can have an exciting spelunking at Guipos Cave and Resort; enjoy the coldness of Mahayag Springs or can take an island hopping to Panikian island in Pitogo, known as the breeding ground of sea turtles towards the beautiful Triton island of Vincenzo Sagun, as among the numerous tourism destinations of the province.

Governor Cerilles regarded Laag ZamboSur as the best chance for Zambosurians to promote tourism attractions for greater socio-economic development of the province while building peace and solidarity in the region as well as with its neighboring cities and provinces. (Remai S. Alejado/ppb/pgo)

Last update: 04-08-2008 12:15