SURIGAO CITY – Local government officials here and key tourism players of the Caraga Region noted an influx of tourists, both foreign and domestic, during the opening day on Sunday of the three-day “Tilaw sa Pagkaong Surigaonon (A taste of the Surigaonon food) Food Festival and Exhibit 2010” at the Luneta Park here.
The event is one of the highlights of the celebration of the city’s 40th Charter Day slated on Tuesday, August 31.
The opening day of the three-day gastronomic affair was stormed by Surigaonons and tourists at the park where food competitions were lined up after City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas gave his message.
Top government line agency officials and guests were also present during the opening ceremonies.
The food competition is organized by the city government headed by Matugas through the City Tourism Office and Surigao Caterers’ Association led by Lydia Ga.
During the opening day, various cooking groups in this city, schools and other areas in the region participated in various events like the: Open Category; Barangay A Category for the native delicacies contest; Open B Category for the barangay level in exotic “kinilaw;” Barangay Category for native cuisines; and for the “Best Barbecue” contest category.
While different Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) schools in the city and other parts in the region also participated in bartending, table skirting and obstacle setting competitions, fruit and vegetable carving, napkin folding and wine mixing/cocktail competition.
“It’s really a spectacular event for the three-day food competition here,” said Department of Tourism (DoT) Region 13 Director Leticia Tan.
“Marajao, I welcome you all to this opening ceremony and it is only the beginning of the series of exciting events in the coming days,” Matugas said in his opening message.
BUTUAN CITY- A fire in Surigao on Saturday burned 200 houses and left 1,000 individuals homeless and killed a 68-year-old woman.
The fire in Barangay Taft, in Surigao City affected 360 families and caused an estimated P10 million damage to property.
Reports reaching this regional center of Caraga Region, Butuan City identified the lone fatality as Nenita Mindania Cabada.
The local Bureau of Fire Protection officials said several firefighters from nearby fire stations and volunteer groups helped them put out the fire— the Surigao City fire station, Filipino-Chinese volunteer fire Brigade, Taga-an town firefighters, Claver town fire station, Municipality of Placer fire station, Mainit fire station, Alegria fire station and Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte fire station, Jabonga fire station, Air transportation Office and other non-government rescue organization volunteers.
Authorities said the weekend incident was first major fire this year that hit Surigao City, some 126 kilometers away from Butuan City, the region’s capital. –VVP, GMANews.TV
Pinoy beauties should get interpreter for international pageants
Umani ng puna at biro ang "major major" na sagot ni Venus Raj sa Miss Universe nitong Martes.
Walang paghuhusga si 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz kay Venus, pero panahon na para kumuha ng interpreter ang mga pambato ng Pilipinas.
“That’s a good suggestion especially we have Filipinos all over the world who can interpret anything... I think she thinks in Tagalog and answers in English. I can relate to that because I used to think in English and answer in Tagalog, and it was very difficult for me,” ani Diaz.
Maari rin daw sa kanilang native na salita.
“Kasi when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya,” anang dating beauty queen.
Suportado naman ng English professor Jose Wendell Capili ng University of the Philippines ang pananaw ni Gloria.
Gen. Luna, Surigao Del Norte (6 August) -- "Enjoy and earn." This was the message of Governor Sol F. Matugas during the launching of the 1st Siargao Surfing Festival to the people of Siargao on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at the Paseo de Cabuntog, Gen. Luna in Siargao Island.
The lady governor explained that they purposely injected the name festival for the reason that they would like to promote the culture and history of Siargao, "and that while we are holding all these competitions in the island - having been known as the surfing capital of the Philippines it is but proper that Siargao has to be known also with its unique culture."
Meantime, Prov'l Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag revealed that one of the highlights of the festival is the opening of Agri & Aqua Trade Fair in Gen. Luna which will be participated in by all the municipalities of Siargao Island.
