Organizers need to raise P15M budget for Sinulog

CEBU – With barely two weeks to go, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. is still confident that they would be able to raise enough money to fund the holding of the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras on January 18.

SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said this year’s highlight of the Fiesta Señor needs a P23-million budget to carry out all the expenses of the preparation.

With only an P8-million allocation from the Cebu City Government, SFI needs to raise on its own the remaining balance of P15 million.

Ballesteros told The FREEMAN yesterday that SFI has almost raised P15 million.

The amount has been raised through ticket selling, street selling, sponsorships from different institutions and business establishments tapped by the foundation and later through the one day on-site selling.

But Ballesteros said that they do not know yet exactly how much they have already collected because some responses to solicitations and invitations for sponsorships that they have sent were delayed by the long holiday.

SFI expects P1.5 million from the ticket sales that only started last Friday.

Ballesteros said they also expect the street sale to accumulate P1.5 million. The rest shall be entrusted to sponsorship deals that SFI is working to close.

Despite the limited time, Ballesteros said they are confident that they can raise the remaining balance before January 18. He, however, added that should they fail to raise the needed amount, they will tighten their budget in the most effective and creative way that the celebration will not suffer.

He also said that they are already 80 percent done with their preparations for the Sinulog, with its launching set on January 9.

The launching will start with a Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, this will be followed by a parade and street dancing from the church to Fuente Osmeña. The street dancing will be participated by performers from 13 colleges and universities in Cebu City.

Following the street dancing, the grand launching will be held at Fuente Osmeña where participating schools will individually perform after Acting Mayor Michael Rama delivers his speech regarding the history and background of the Sinulog Mardi Gras.

Ballesteros said that they are expecting 17 contingents to join the Sinulog sa Kabataan this year, with around 12 to 13 contingents to participate in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.

On the other hand, he said the out-of-town contingents who will join the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras on January 18 have yet to be finalized next week. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)