Sinulog grand parade: Fewer contingents but expect a grand show - SFI

CEBU, Philippines – Although there are lesser contingents for this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. said spectators can still expect a good show from the 32 participants, which include seven out-of-town contingents.

SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said this is a quality number for this year even if it’s lesser than the 40 contingents last year.

“The people will always seek for fresh concept and the relevance of the presentation of the Sinulog festivity,” Ballesteros said.

“It will be a battle royal this Sunday. Looking at the winners of the Kabataan and the Lalawigan, naay chance gyud,” he added.

Last Saturday, winners of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan and Dakbayan were announced and will be competing tomorrow at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

For the Sinulog sa Lalawigan elementary division, winners were Pundok sa Kabataang Mananayaw sa Danao City (1st), Naga Central School (2nd) and Tribu Ginatilan (3rd) while secondary division winners were: Looc Norte National High School (1st), Carcar City Division (2nd), Tinubdan sa Kauswagan Cultural Dance Troupe of Tuburan (3rd), Mandaue City Youth Cultural Dance Troupe (4th), and Tribu Alegrianhon (5th).

Winners of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan-elementary division were Cebu City Central School (1st), Talamban Elementary School (2nd), Pasil Elementary School (3rd) and San Nicolas Elementary School (4th). Secondary division winners were Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School (1st), Apas National High School (2nd), Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School (3rd), Bulacao Community High School (4th), and Mabolo National High School (5th).

Ballesteros said spectators also need  to watch out for the out-of-town contingents from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental; two contingents from Placer, Masbate; Catbalogan City, Samar; Panglao, Bohol; Abuyog, Leyte, and Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

The Lumad Basakanon will also participate in the event.

For the contingent of Abuyog, Leyte, choreographer Frenil Palang said they keep joining the Sinulog to defend the crown and for them to bring pride of the town.

Above all, Palang said it is their devotion to the Holy Child that drives them to keep joining.

Abuyog, Leyte won last year’s free interpretation category. Palang said this year’s performance will be more festive with their ico-nic fantasy of bees.

The Cebuano choreographer of Kulturang Place-reño, Victor Cuenco, said they will showcase the people by another unique concept that was not presented by the other contingents even before they started joining the competition.

“We will be presenting fiesta sa Sugbo, basically naay mga piryahan, mga tawo nga naglingaw-lingaw, nangaon, this is unique because naa mi theme nga never been presented before, they will see magic and surprises” Cuenco said.

Basak San Nicolas barangay captain Norman Navarro said the death of barangay captain George Rama, who died in January 26 last year due to pneumonia, has a slight impact on their performance.

He said the group will offer their presentation to Rama who was their number one supporter.

Tangub City’s Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe choreographer Jojin Pascual said the spectators should expect something fresh in their performance.

“This year, lahi in a way sa among choreography is very solemn kay gaan ang sayaw, music. Very light performance gyod siya mura og heavenly apparitions. Naa rami sa clouds gyod,” he said.

For first time participant and winner of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Asturias town contingent vows to double its effort to clinch the top spot in the Sinulog Grand Parade tomorrow.

Walter Betito, the group’s choreographer, said they have polished and enhanced their performance by mastering the whole routine and putting up more lights to its backdrop.

“Everytime man gud after Sinulog (sa Kabataan), naay evaluation. Tanan judges mohatag sa comment. Good thing sa  Asturias, wa silay ma-suggest nga i-improve kay satisfied sila. According to them (judges) nga fresh and festive gyod among performance,” he said.

Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan said the group has also received more support from his constituents.  He believes that the group’s success in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan ritual showdown is the result of his people’s unity.

Politicians

Four national candidates will be joining the Sinulog Grand Parade on board the float of the Provincial Capitol, which has a theme of “Kalambuan sa Matag Sugbuanon”.

Liberal Party candidate for vice president, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo and LP senatorial bets Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva, and Lilia De Lima will be onboard the Capitol float.

Lawyer Ramil Abing, assistant Provincial Administrator, said he already spoke with Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros over the dos and don’ts of politicians during the parade.

“They (politicians) are not allowed to wear their campaign shirt and we will provide them with our own Sinulog shirt,” Abing told The Freeman.

He disclosed that the Capitol has allocated an overall budget of P1.4 million for their participation in the Sinulog and the float costs P500, 000.

He said the Capitol’s float will have a catchphrase “Cebu is reaping the fruits of genuine change and good governance”.

“Basically this is nothing political, this is just the advocacy,” said Ethel Nathera, head of Provincial Information Office.

Meanwhile, Cebu Auxilliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo encourages Cebuanos to be ready as hospitable hosts for the Sinulog, as well as the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

“Atong huptan atong mga bakos aron kita mamahimong maabi-abihon ga-yod isip host niining mga dagko nga kalikokan,” said Villarojo, who is the secretary general for the 51st IEC.

Capitol will host a Mass for IEC this January 29, Friday. The whole stretch of Escario Street may be closed at around 1p.m to give way to the delegates. But the Capitol is set to release a final schedule after their meeting with IEC organizers.  — Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Michael Vencynth H. Braga with Friensy G. Larawan and  USJ-R Interns/ATO (FREEMAN)