Rama set to visit towns to personally thank groups

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will personally visit all the out-of-town contingents that joined the Sinulog Grand Parade to thank them for participating in the festivities.

Rama said that he will personally express his gratitude to all out-of-town contingents that contributed to the success of Sinulog celebration.

“All of them just to bring the Office of the Mayor and whoever will be with me, to tell them and express my gratitude that the mayor is bringing goodwill, and clarity in my mind, purity in my heart thanking that you made Sinulog very successful,” he said.

The out-of-town contingents include Calbayog City, Samar; two contingents of Placer, Masbate; Abuyog, Leyte; Kidapawan City, Cotabato; Alang-Alang, Leyte; Lanao del Norte; Tangub City; Misamis Occidental; and Panglao, Bohol.

Rama has been the chairman of Sinulog Foundation Inc. for 14 years and this will be the first time that he will head to the towns in other provinces to thank them personally for joining the Sinulog.

“First time to visit the out of town contingents because this is the best Sinulog and the one that made the best Sinulog include the out-of-town contingents,” he said.

When asked when he will be visiting the out-of-town contingents, he said he needs to rest first.

Meanwhile, Rama said that the people should expect significant changes for the Sinulog 2016 celebration.

“There will be substantial changes so that Sinulog 2016 will be extra-ordinary, 2015 is special Sinulog,” he said.

He said that one of the possible changes is his proposal to have another category for the universities and colleges.

Rama also said that he will consider having two categories for the Sinulog contingents who will compete at day time and at night time and each category would have separate winners.

 “We will separate because we cannot bring all to be available in the evening otherwise we will have to start at 6 p.m. and finish in the morning,” he said, adding that the foundation will be asking the contingents who would wish to compete at night on their costumes and props because it might alter the effect of its presentation.

Rama said that there will also be an overall champion.

He said that he will discuss the matter with the SFI first.

“It is not the intention of the judges that ang makadaog puros out-of-town contingents kay naa may nakadaog nga dili out-of-town contingents,” he said, referring to Carcar City Division (third), Tuburan National High School (fourth), Talisay City Central Elementary School (fifth) under Sinulog-based category, and Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (fifth) in Free Interpretation category and champion in street dancing.  (FREEMAN)