Grand finale to adopt Las Vegas theme anew

CEBU, Philippines - This year’s grand finale of the Sinulog festivities on January 17 will adopt a Las Vegas concept with an “All Cebu Theme” to live up to the theme of the Sinulog – “One Beat, Once Dance, One Vision.”

The grand finale in 2008 also adopted a Las Vegas-inspired concept, but Margot Osmeña, the wife of the mayor, said this year’s grand finale will be the “best among the previous finale” because this year is Sinulog’s 30th anniversary.

“The focus is on being Filipino with a blend of the old and new culture and heritage of Cebu,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña has danced in the grand finale every year, except last year when she had to stay with the mayor in the United States. Mayor Osmeña was seeking treatment for his cancer in the urinary bladder at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Last year, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry represented Osmeña during the grand finale.

Victor Cuenco, choreographer of the finale, disclosed that Osmeña’s Filipiniana gown for her performance is being designed by local fashion guru Philip Rodriguez. Cuenco said Osmeña will dance as a “festival queen” who will enter at the tail-end of the grand finale.

“Since the finale is themed, ‘Sugbo: Kagahapon ug Karon,’ it would depict the Spanish, American and Cebu today,” Cuenco said. — Marjun A. Baguio, University of Cebu Intern/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)