Sogod : North of Cebu town of beginnings and contrasts

Sogod is located in the northern part of Cebu Province. It is about 60.5 kilometers from Cebu City. It is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Borbon; on the South by the Municipality of Catmon; on the East by the Camotes Sea; and on the west by the Municipalities of Tuburan and Tabuelan.

Sogod is Visayan term for “start”, and locals said the town is so named because it is a place of beginnings.

It is in Sogod that fine white sand stretching farther north begins, ending the string of dark sand beaches in preceding municipalities.

This meeting in contrast of white and dark can be seen only during low tide, at a spot where a sign marks a cave that once served as hiding place of Japanese soldiers during the war.

In this same area are markings resembling hoofs that religious Sogoranons believe were made by the horse of St. James The Apostle, the town’s patron saint, as he makes his way on horseback to the Sogod church through the cave.

Another possible reason for the name “Sogod”, residents say, is because the shift to Catholicism in the north during the Spanish period started in the town.

It’s not therefore surprising that Sogod celebrates beginnings through the “Panagsogod Festival” – which will have its culminating activities on Friday.

Vice Mayor Liza Marie Durano, who is acting mayor, said she sees the potential of the town to become a destination and invites tourists – both local and foreign – to visit and sample the many things that the town has to offer.