Famous Cebu talents to highlight Sinulog 2010

CEBU, Philippines - Local talents who made their names known internationally will be invited to perform for the grand finale of Sinulog 2010, this according to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

These local talents include singers Pilita Corales and Dulce, among others, who will render songs with the accompaniment of the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Osmeña will lead the Sinulog festivities next month after he failed to attend the festival last year after being diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer.

He was in the US during the Sinulog celebration for chemotherapy sessions. He eventually underwent a successful operation months later.

Osmeña said that the city will spend P2.5 million for the grand finale alone and another P10 million for the prizes of the grand parade.

“All-Cebuano kuno ilang kuhaon for the grand finale, I said ‘that’s fine’, the city will spend for the production,” Osmeña said.

It was learned that the city government only donated P10 million for the Sinulog festivities last year including the grand finale.

Sinulog executive director Ricky Ballesteros revealed that around 500 performers will entertain the crowd during the grand finale of Sinulog 2010.

Ballesteros said that singer Dandin Ranillo, the brother of Matt Ranillo III and the uncle of Krista Ranillo was also invited to perform.

Dandin is the one who sang the theme song of the Sinulog festival entitled Sinulog isyagit og kusog.

Meanwhile, Ballesteros said a number of out-of-town contingents have already confirmed their participation in the Sinulog 2010 grand parade.

These are Santa Catalina of Negros Oriental, San Carlos City of Negros Occidental, Placer of Masbate and Masbate City, Tangub City and Camiguin, among others.

The Sinulog executive director said that there are also first-timers who confirmed to participate in the coming Sinulog festival, these are Larena in Siquijor, Zamboanga City and Davao City.

Ballesteros is expecting a more colorful and dramatic presentation from different contingents in next month’s Sinulog festival.

“Kay we encourage the choreographers to innovate, make some research of their concepts and improve their musicality and production,” Ballesteros said.

Ballesteros disclosed that the launching of the Sinulog 2010 activities is scheduled on January 8, a day before the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan will be held.

On January 10, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will take place.

The 20 winning contingents of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and Lalawigan will automatically be included in the Sinulog 2010 grand parade on January 17.

Ballesteros said that major prizes at stake for the festival will be P500,000 for the champion, P300,000 for the first runner-up and P200,000 for second runner-up, both for the Sinulog-based and free interpretation category. – Elly Bolonos/BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)