Southern Leyte, Maasin City promote cultural activities, tourism at “One Visayas Festival” in Cebu City

By Rebecca Cadavos

Maasin City, Southern Leyte (2 March) — The City of Maasin in close coordination with the Province of Southern Leyte attended the “One Visayas, One People, One Destiny” Festival that started yesterday, March 1 until March 8, held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Cebu City to promote not only the cultutal activities of the whole province but tourism as well.

Maasin City Executive Assistant Bethany Gado reported in their regular program aired over at Radio Station DyDM that the week-long activities will strengthen the cultural bond among the different islands in the region. It will be participated by three regions in the Visayas, Western Visayas – Region 6, Central Visayas – Region 7 and Eastern Visayas – Region 8.

In the first “One Visayas” expo in Cebu City, the City of Maasin together with the province of Southern Leyte prepared not only cultural dances, songs locally composed by Maasinhons, but also food products, abaca products and the like to be exhibited at a designated booth in the area. It will promote tourism destinations of the province and the city, as well, Gado disclosed in the interview.

Maasin City sent about 65 delegation to participate in the show while another 60 more or less from the provincial government. Exclusive dates assigned for Maasin City, Southern Leyte to showcase their talents will be on March 3 -4, while the other dates were scheduled for other regions to showcase their own best practices.

It was learned that the city allocated about P300,000 for the activity while the provincial government appropriated P455,000 for the same.

The expo that kicked-off yeaterday, March 1 was graced by Sen. Mar Roxas and Tourism Sectretary Ace Durano, according to reports, while provincial and local officials from the different regions were also represented.

The organizers of the week-long affair aims to promote tourism industry in the three regions which is considered as one of the bright lights for the country amid the doom of the current global economic crisis. (PIA-Southern Leyte)