A canyoneering tour guide in Badian, Cebu, has been suspended for one month after a viral video showed him allegedly making inappropriate remarks toward an American tourist.
The guide was identified as James Agravante, who has been working as a canyoneering guide in Badian for about two years.
Badian Tourism Officer Earl Vincent Endab said the Municipal Tourism Office learned about the incident after a portion of a video uploaded by American vlogger Cameron, known online as @cameronyme, was reposted and circulated on social media.
The video, which documented Cameron’s canyoneering trip in Badian, showed Agravante allegedly muttering offensive remarks, including the word “hambogero,” toward the tourist. The vlogger reportedly did not understand the remarks at the time.
Although Cameron did not file a formal complaint, the Badian Tourism Office reviewed the viral footage and initiated disciplinary action against the guide. The local government said the action was taken under existing municipal regulations governing the conduct of canyoneering guides.
Under Municipal Ordinance No. 18-2026, or the Revised Badian Kawasan Canyoneering Ordinance of 2026, acts of discourtesy, harassment, extortion and other forms of conduct unbecoming are prohibited in the operation of the Badian Kawasan Canyoneering Adventure.
Aside from the one-month suspension, Agravante was ordered to pay a P1,000 fee and perform community service. He will also undergo reorientation on the municipality’s canyoneering ordinance and the proper handling of tourists after completing his suspension.
Agravante later issued a public apology to the American tourist through Facebook, acknowledging that some of his words were inappropriate and expressing regret for failing to demonstrate the respect, patience and professionalism expected from a tour guide.
Badian officials emphasized that the incident should not be generalized to all canyoneering guides in the municipality. The tourism office said it continues to monitor guide conduct and encourages visitors to report inappropriate behavior through proper channels.
According to the Badian Tourism Office, the municipality has around 1,600 trained canyoneering guides, with about 1,000 currently accredited.
The latest disciplinary action highlights the local government’s effort to enforce conduct standards as Badian continues to promote canyoneering as one of Cebu’s major tourism attractions.
