Rama won’t stop students from dancing in Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama will not stop the school officials in Cebu City if they will require selected school children to perform during the annual Sinulog celebration in connection with the feast of Senor Santo Niño next month.

Rama said the annual celebration of the feast of Santo Niño every third Sunday of January may not happen without the children, particularly because Santo Niño is also a child.

When asked whether the constant dance practice of the participants in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan may hamper the studies of the children, the mayor said the officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) know how to handle the matter.

The annual Sinulog mardi gras is one of the most awaited and popular celebrations in Cebu that will be attended by thousands of spectators coming from all over the country, including foreigners.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, chairman of the City Council’s committee on education, said allowing the school children to participate in the Sinulog mardi gras will hamper their studies. He considers it as academically destructive activity.

There were several instances that some of the schools that participated in the Sinulog got low scores in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

Records showed that in 2011, Cebu City ranked second from the bottom in the Central Visayas achievement test for elementary and high school.

Cebu City School’s district Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud explained that they will not compel children to join the Sinulog but those who signified their intention to participate said they are happy to join the street dance.

“Panaad man na nila,” Angtud said. (That’s their promise, to join every year.)

She said the school children already started their dance practice, particularly now that classes are on break. Next month the dance practice will be conducted after the daily classes and during weekends.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan will be participated in by the students from public schools in Cebu City and Cebu Province will be made the weekend before the holding of the Sinulog mardi gras.

Aside from receiving cash prizes and troophies, the top five winners will be given the chance to compete in the grand parade on January 20. — (FREEMAN)