Registration of contingents extended

Cebu - With one week to go before the Sinulog grand parade, the number of registered dancing contingents is barely half the total number that joined in last year’s parade.

As of yesterday, only five contingents registered for the Sinulog Based category while 15 registered for the Free Interpretation category. Last year, 18 contingents participated in the Sinulog Based category and 32 competed in the Free Interpretation category.

So far, 24 Higantes, 25 floats, and eight puppets have been registered for next Sunday’s parade.

The numbers prompted organizers to extend registration until Tuesday, January 13, to give chance to other contingents to sign up. The original deadline was last Friday, January 9.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the Sinulog Foundation, said many old participants may not be joining this year because of economic reasons but said several might still catch up.

Sinulog Foundation Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros also remains optimistic, saying that the outcome is “just normal” because it has been a trend since in the previous years that many contingents register at the very last minute.

He also said the numbers would increase after the Sinulog sa Kabataan because its winners may also participate during the Mardi Gras.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan was held yesterday while the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will be held today.

To participate in the grand parade, a dancing contingent from within Cebu would need at least P100,000 while those from other provinces would need at least P500,000.

This is the reason why the city government has decided to give a cash assistance of P100,000 for out-of-town contingents who will perform well but may be among the judges’ choices.

Back with a vengeance

Meanwhile, one of the much-awaited contingents during the Sinulog Mardi Gras, the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, promised to show something “very different” this year.

The group’s choreographer, Emilio Pascual, said spectators can expect something “very different” from the group this year compared to what they have accustomed to seeing in the previous years. Sinanduloy is among the very first registrants this year.

With “floral offering” as the main concept of performance, Pascual said they have spent more this year, considering that their costumes have all been hand-painted. The contingent will arrive in Cebu on Wednesday.

However, an advance party has already put up an exhibit at SM City Cebu, as part of the group’s pilgrimage to the Sto. Niño.

Had they won their fourth consecutive championship trophy in the Sinulog Based Category last year, the group would have taken a rest from the Sinulog this year.

But judges last year chose voted unanimously for the Siloy Festival of Alcoy, Cebu as champion in the category.

Gun ban

To strengthen security during the parade, city police director Patrocinio Commendador suggested that a total gun ban among civilians be implemented along the carousel route on January 18.

Commendador said the ban is necessary to prevent any gun-related incident, especially that the biggest bulk of people can be found along the carousel route.

More policemen would also be deployed in barangay Day-as, B. Rodriguez Street and Juana Osmeña Extension where many people converge, especially after the grand parade.

Fire trucks would also be detailed in barangay Lorega, R. Landon Street and Ramos Public Market so that possible alarms can be easily responded to.

Liquor control would also be implemented during that day. — Ferliza C. Contratista, Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc, Guam Logroño of Banat News and AJ A. de la Torre  (THE FREEMAN)