New song to cap Sinulog finale

CEBU, Philippines - A new song that features the grandeur of Cebu will culminate this year’s Sinulog festivities, the Sinulog Foundation announced yesterday.

“One of the highlights on this year’s festivity is the newly-composed music, Celebrate Cebu. It’s very beautiful, it’s very upbeat. It’s all about Cebu. The places and people of Cebu, its culture,” said SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros.

“Celebrate Cebu” is composed by Sam Costanilla and Gani Villarojo with music by Dennis Villarojo.

The new song will be performed by past winners of Sinulog Idol during the Grand Finale at the Cebu City Sports Center following the final performances of contingents participating in the Grand Parade.

Since the song also aims to inspire international cooperation, dancers in costumes of different countries will accompany the singers.

Cebuana beauty queen Rogelie Catacutan, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2015, will be the lead dancer and will carry the image of the Santo Niño.

Ballesteros said they decided to come up with the song, considering that Cebu will also host the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) immediately after the Sinulog.

 “This year, since Cebu City is hosting IEC, we come up with another tune for the Grande Parade. This is aligned to IEC. The IEC organizers asked for mini-Sinulog. We already planned this last year to produce new music, which is more on an island beat,” Ballesteros said.

“We can use the song during IEC para dili kaayo gasto og dili siya sayang kay magamit for the two big events. But for us, it can be used not only for Sinulog but also for any big events or international events to welcome the tourists and visitors in Cebu City,” Ballesteros added.

Last year, SFI also produced “Celebrate Sinulog” composed by Dandin Ranillo for the Sinulog’s 35th anniversary.

“Sinulog has become popular internationally at this age so the song is about Sinulog becoming a global event,” said Ballesteros.

During the festival’s 25th anniversary, Villarojo composed “Welcome to Cebu, Welcome to our hearts,” which was performed during the 12th ASEAN Summit held here in 2007.  (FREEMAN)