Another showdown of Cebuano beauty and talent in Sinulog 2011

CEBU, Philippines - It will be another showdown of Cebuano beauty and  talent, and a visual treat for star-gazing spectators this  Sinulog 2011! The festivities will officially kick off  today, Jan. 7, with an opening and launching program  at the Cebu City Sports Center. It’s all systems go according to all the Sinulog Foundation committees who gathered for a general assembly Tuesday at the Sinulog Hall of the Jose Rizal Memorial Library.

Executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Ricky Ballesteros said that among the international media coming over to cover the world-famous festival are a French network and a crew from National Geographic.

Tonight, the 12 lovely Miss Cebu candidates will be presented at Fuente Osmeña for the pre-pageant rites, to be followed by the first night of the 2nd Sinulog Idol, still to be held at the Fuente Osmeña Circle. Hosted by Sam Costanilla, 12 finalists coming from different schools and ages 15-20 years old will showcase their singing prowess to win the title of Sinulog Idol grand champion.

Costanilla stated that every night until the grand finals on Jan. 13, one contestant will be eliminated. There will be a different genre each night, allowing the hopefuls to display their singing flexibility. Notably, last year’s female Sinulog winner gained national exposure when she was picked to be part of Sarah Geronimo’s defunct musical-drama series “Idol.”

After the first Sinulog Idol night, street party bands will entertain the crowd every evening thereafter until Jan. 16.

On Jan. 13, relive the colorful Cebuano arts, culture and traditions with “Handumanan: The Concert”, 8 pm at the Ayala Terraces. Now on its 8th year, this free show will have for its theme “Pagpalig-on sa Gugmahanong Pagpanumpa” (Strengthening the Vow of Love). Local actors including veteran performer Gil Maningo will act out how our ancestors in the 50’s and the 60’s went about with marriage proposals, as narrated by Costanilla in poetry form.

Costanilla, who wrote the balak script and who serves as Handumanan progam director, shared that before, grooms will bring along a person of authority or importance such as a kapitan or mayor, who will serve as his spokesperson in asking for the bride-to-be’s hand in marriage from her parents. Then the groom will perform a series of tasks for the bride’s family such as fetching water, cutting firewood or doing farm work to prove his commitment to his betrothed.

There’s also the “likod-likod”, which is a festive gathering held a night before the wedding, equivalent to a shower party in our modern times. “If they could, they will party up until dawn and no longer sleep. They will stay up to wait for the wedding which is usually held early in the morning,” Costanilla said. These and other forgotten practices we will witness in “Handumanan.” A bayle open for everyone will conclude the evening, featuring the Rockin’ Revival band from Manila.

Still on Jan. 13, a parade of intricate costumes will brighten up the SM City Northwing Atrium with the Sinulog Festival Queen 2011 Fashion Show, 6:30 pm. The Sinulog Festival Queen 2011 contest proper will be held the next day at the Cebu City Sports Center, 8:30 pm.

Jan. 14 will be a total musical extravaganza: Sinulog Best Dance Crew Finals at the Cebu City Sports Center, Sinulog 2011 Musicfest Finals (Band Contest) at 6:30 pm and the 31st Metro Cebu Popular Music Festival at the Cebu Coliseum, 7:30 pm.

Costanilla will still be emceeing this year’s Cebu Pop together with Pinoy Dream Academy alum Apple Abarquez. Out of the 12 original Cebuano compositions submitted, two came from neophyte composers while the rest came from Cebu Pop regulars. While the activities mentioned above are free of charge, you need to buy tickets for this one, available at the President’s office of the University of the Visayas.

Major TV networks will, as usual, take advantage of the Sinulog crowd. There are scheduled Kapuso and Kapamilya mall caravans and float participants. A Waterfront Lahug concert featuring Kapamilya leading men including Gerald Anderson, John Lloyd Cruz, Zanjoe Marudo, Jake Cuenca, etc., is also one to watch.

Let the sight-seeing begin.