In celebration of the 455th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu, one of the country’s premiere tourist destinations, the Department of Tourism (DOT) joined the Cebu Provincial Government to support the grandest and highly anticipated Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 at the majestic Cebu City Sports Complex recently.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco joined Cebu Province Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Senator Francis Tolentino, Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, Leyte 4th district Representative Richard Gomez and spouse Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, and former Senator Manny Pacquiao in gracing the event, also known as the Festival of Festivals.
“Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is an excellent reflection of our identity, our culture, our love, our strength and unity as Cebuanos.”
“As a Cebuano, I am so happy to be back in my home province of Cebu to celebrate the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, an excellent reflection of our identity, our culture, our love, our strength and unity as Cebuanos,” Frasco said as she opened the highly anticipated event.
The tourism chief proudly hails from Cebu and was a three-term Mayor of the town of Liloan before being appointed as a member of the Marcos Cabinet.
“We will continue our unity and continue to show the whole world that we will always be Sugbo.”
“Through Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, we will show our story to the whole world, as the people of Cebu will continue to express love for Cebu…I hope that this year’s Pasigarbo Sa Sugbo will be successful and that we will continue our unity and continue to show the whole world, that we will always be Sugbo; in times of happiness and in times of difficulty, we will always be united, and always say, ‘Laban, Cebu!’,” the tourism head said.
The festival promotes the rich and diverse culture of the Sugbuanons while fostering a sense of connection and pride among its people, and is a reflection of the tapestry of heritage and art showcasing the products and culture of 52 participating contingents, including those from the component cities of Cebu. Each offering is a diverse and captivating experience that illustrates Cebu’s rich cultural diversity.
In addition, she noted that Cebu has always been one of the strongest pillars of the tourism industry, championing its natural landscapes, festivities, food, culture, and community, which are celebrated today and continue to attract an ever-growing number of visitors, both local and international.
The event featured two main segments showcasing the Sugbuanon culture: a vibrant street parade in the streets of Cebu Capitol with the different festivals native to each contingent, followed by the Ritual Showdown showcasing the rich culture and heritage of each province in Cebu.
