Noy has not received invitation to Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has not received an invitation to the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, at least as of yesterday during his visit to Cebu.

Facing a crowd of about 5,000 at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Center, the President said, “Bagamat walang nag-iimbita sa akin, Viva Pit Senyor!”

Aquino himself said his office receives about 50,000 correspondence every month and the letter, if indeed it reached Malacañang, might have just been overlooked.

The Sinulog Foundation Inc. told The FREEMAN it sent the invitation last January 9 through fax. In return, the SFI received a transmittal letter from the Office of the President.

“We have a copy of the transmittal letter to prove it was received by the office. I was told it was probably on his desk,” SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said.

He said they always invite the president every year, even the past administrations.

“The usual process is, we send the invitation, then they send back a form to be filled-out about the profile of the event for assessment. When we received the form, we immediately filled it out and sent it back,” Ballesteros said.

Aquino said festivals in the Philippines like the Sinulog are avenues to showcase the very best of the Philippines and the Filipinos. He said characteristics like friendliness and creativity are best felt during these festivals.

In the case of the Sinulog, the President said it is not only the Cebuanos and Filipinos in the country that look forward to the event, but Filipinos in other parts of the world, as well.

Aquino was in Cebu to grace the opening of Austal and Philippines Shipyard Operations at the West Cebu Industrial Park in the western town of Balamban about 29 kilometers from Cebu City.

From Balamban, the President proceeded to Mandaue City for a “leaders meeting” with local leaders of the Liberal Party. Present at the gathering were Cebu City North District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, Sixth District Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, acting Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, former Cebu City Councilor Hilario Davide III, Fifth District Rep. Red Durano and Danao Vice Mayor Ramonito Durano.

Also at the meeting were LP senatorial bets Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Angara, Las Piñas Cong. Mark Villar representing Cynthia Villar, Koko Pimentel and Jamby Madrigal.

— Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Grace I. Lacamiento and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (FREEMAN)