Grand parade to push through rain or shine

Even with the threat of bad weather yesterday, Sinulog organizers stand firm that today’s grand parade will push through rain or shine.

With 135 delegates, this year’s grand parade will be the longest, so far, in the recent history of the Sinulog.

Twenty-two dancing contingents will be participating in the Sinulog-Based category while 29 others will participate in the Free Interpretation Category.  Forty floats, 26 “higantes”, 18 puppets, and five contingents from the Sinulog sa Kabataan will take part in the parade.

Today’s grand parade will also be different because unlike in previous years where contingents start at specific entry points, contingents this year are already positioned along the carousel route such that all of them will start dancing by 9 a.m. 

Two sets of judges will be assessing the performances and determine the winners for the best in street dancing, costume, and musicality.

Contingents from the city and provincial governments will lead all the other contingents in the grand parade that will head to the Cebu City Sports Center.

At the sports center, spectators will witness a skydiving exhibition 30 minutes before the program proper starts at 9 a.m. The world-renowned University of the Visayas Chorale that won silver and bronze medals in the 2007 Busan International Chorale Festival and Competition will sing the doxology and the national anthem to formally open the program.  — Joeberth M. Ocao/BRP