14 contingents to join 1st Sinulog sa Barangay

Fourteen contingents will take part in the first-ever Sinulog sa Barangay today at the Cebu City Sports Center after Mayor Tomas Osmeña cancelled the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan for the second straight year.

The participating Sinulog sa Barangay contingents are mostly from public and elementary high schools.

The five participating elementary schools Pardo Elementary School, Barangay Zapatera Lorega/Day-as Zapatera Elementary School, Mambaling Elementary School, Basak Community School and Lahug Elementary School.

The nine participating high schools and barangays are Bulacao Community High School, Barangay Tejero, Inayawan Night High School and Parents Teachers Community Association, Gothong National High School, Barangay Basak Pardo - Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School, Tribu Guardo of Barangay Sambag I, Matachini sa Guadalupe of Barangay Guadalupe, Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School of Barangay Apas and Tribu La-Gubooh.

Sinulog project director Ricky Ballesteros Jr. said that all participating contestants will automatically qualify for the grand mardi gras on January 15. But unlike before, today's winners will only receive a trophy.

Cebu Mitsumi Inc. has pledged P1 million for the fireworks display during the culmination of the Sinulog 2006 while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has pledged P300,000. Councilor Nestor Archival, chairman of the committee on fireworks for Sinulog 2006, said the display will last from 10 to 15 minutes - Garry B. Lao