A canyoneering guide in Badian, Cebu has publicly apologized to a foreign tourist following an encounter that circulated online and resulted in disciplinary action from the municipal government.
The guide, James Agravante, posted the apology on his official Facebook account after a video of his interaction with the foreign visitor gained attention online.
Agravante acknowledged that some of the words he used during the encounter were inappropriate and may have made the tourist uncomfortable.
“Gusto ko nga kinasingkasing nga mangayo og pasaylo kanimo tungod sa mga pulong nga akong nasulti nga dili angay ug mahimong nakapasakit o nakahatag kanimo og dili maayong pagbati,” he said.
He admitted his mistake and said tourists should be treated with respect, patience and professionalism.
“Akong giangkon ang akong sayop, ug wala koy laing tuyo gawas sa pag pangayo og pasaylo kanimo,” he said.
Agravante also said he regretted how he handled the interaction and would use the incident as a lesson to be more careful with his words and behavior when dealing with visitors.
“Gipasalamat nako nga ang akong nasulti mahimong hinungdan nga dili maayo ang imong kasinatian. Nagbasol gyud ko sa akong nabuhat ug akong gamiton kini nga leksyon aron mas mahimong maampingon ko sa akong mga pulong ug batasan sa umaabot,” he said.
The apology followed action by the Badian Municipal Tourism Office over the incident involving the foreign vlogger, who visited the town last month.
Badian Tourism Officer Earl Vincent Endab said the office learned about the incident after seeing the video online, which later drew wider attention following feedback from a viewer.
Endab said the conduct shown in the video was inappropriate for a tourism worker, particularly a guide expected to deal with visitors professionally.
The municipality subsequently sanctioned Agravante under its regulations governing canyoneering operations.
“Ni decide gud mi og take og prompt action kay naa man sa ordinance ani nga if conduct of unbecoming siya, ma suspended ang tour guides,” Endab said.
Agravante was suspended for one month and ordered to pay a P1,000 fine and render community service, Endab said.
The sanctions were imposed under Municipal Ordinance No. 18-2026, or the Revised Badian Kawasan Canyoneering Ordinance of 2026.
The ordinance prohibits discourtesy, harassment, extortion and other forms of “conduct of unbecoming” during canyoneering activities.
Endab said the municipal government’s action was meant to enforce existing regulations and should not be taken as a reflection of all canyoneering guides operating in Badian.
“Do not be discouraged of the act of one person, atoa lang kay naa man tay appropriate actions nga gibuhat sa government,” he said.
The tourism office continues to monitor guides through feedback from tourists and operators and encourages visitors to report untoward incidents through proper channels.
Endab said the case was not the first time the municipality had sanctioned a canyoneering guide, with conduct-related complaints among the cases previously handled by the local government.
Under the ordinance, accredited guides are required to undergo mandatory training and seminars and observe standards on conduct, hygiene, communication and safety while performing their duties.
Agravante ended his apology by asking the tourist to accept his expression of regret and reiterating that he did not intend to hurt or make the visitor feel uncomfortable.
“Unta madawat nimo kining akong sinsero nga pagpangayo og pasaylo. Wala gyud nako tuyoa nga mapasakitan ka o mapabati ka og dili maayo,” he said.
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