Groups start signing up for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Barely three weeks before the 2010 Sinulog festival, three out-of-town contingents have confirmed to participate in the Grand Parade on January 17.

The early registrants include the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate.

Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe, last year’s winner in the Sinulog-based category, and Pintaflores Festival are competing in the Sinulog-based category while Tribu Himag-ulaw, a first time participant, will compete in the Free Interpretation category.

Pintaflores Festival will be choreographed by Victor Cuenco, the choreographer of Buyogan Festival of Leyte that won the grand prize in the FI category last year.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said other out-of-town groups have confirmed participation, but are yet to register officially. These include the contingents from Bais City, Jimalalud de Sinulog, and Sta. Catalina from the neighboring Negros island; Buyugan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte, Sangyaw Festival of Tacloban City, Dulag, Leyte, and Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos Leyte; and contingents from Cabadbaran City and Lanao Del Norte from Mindanao.

Ballesteros said next year’s 30th year of Sinulog will retain the theme, “One Beat, One Dance, One Vision” because it’s the “basic thing that the SFI and the City of Cebu envisions in the entire celebration.”

Meanwhile, SFI registrar Dolores del Mar said there are, so far, nine official contingents for the Sinulog sa Dakbayan-Elementary category and eight contingents for the secondary category.

Enlisted for the elementary category are Lahug Elementarty School, Sawang Calero Elementary School, and Cebu City Central School while those joining the secondary category are Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School, Abellana National School, Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School, and Inayawan Night High School.

On the other hand, the elementary category of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan have six contingents, so far, including the Pajo Elementary School, Cogon Elementary School, and a delegation from Bogo City.

Seven contingents have enlisted for the secondary category, including the Silaw Culture and Arts of Carcar City, Pundok Laboganon and Arts of Mandaue City, and Department of Education, Naga Division, among others.

Based on SFI’s budget proposal, a total of not less than P3.8M has been allocated for contingents of the Sinulog Grand Parade while P5.7M has been allocated for the Sinulog sa Kabataan.

The grand prize winners for the SB and FI categories will receive P500,000 each respectively while the Best in Costume will receive P100,000. Choreographers of the top five winning contingents have a budget allocation of P80,000 while a P100,000 subsidy will also be given to each contingent.

Meanwhile, the grand prize winner of Sinulog sa Kabataan will get P150,000 while the Best in Costume will receive P20,000. A total amount of P21,000 is intended for the choreographers of the winning contingents. On top of this, P50,000 will be given to each contingent as financial assistance.

Another P900,000 is allocated for the winners of other categories, including the best float, arch/décor, higante, puppeteer, best in musicality, short film festival, video documentary, and Sinulog Festival Queen.

“They [contingents] should be creative, and consistent…musicality, choreography, production, and costume are the things that will impress the judges,” Ballesteros said.

He said the number of participating contingents is expected to increase by the first week of January. The deadline of registration of those participating in the grand parade is on January 11.

Ballesteros also announced that the Devotee City at the Plaza Independencia will open on January 13. The Devotee City accommodates out-of-town devotees that do not have a place to stay in Cebu.

Accommodation is free with devotees sheltered in shipping containers that will be loaned to the city by Aboitiz Shipping Company.

Ballesteros said those who intend to qualify to stay at the Devotee City should see Cebu City councilor Edwin Jacmoc. Last year, at least 1,000 people stayed at the Devotee City.

He said the city will ensure that proper sanitation and security will be provided just like in the previous years.

“Many people come to Cebu and we expect a bigger crowd this time…every year, the number of people visiting Cebu for the Sinulog is getting bigger and bigger,” he said.

Still, Ballesteros reminded everyone participating or witnessing the Sinulog not to forget the real essence of the festivity, which I s devotion to the child Jesus. — Marjun A. Baguio, UC Intern/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)