SFI to recognize Sinulog founders

CEBU, Philippines —  The Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) will be honoring individuals and institutions that have served the festival since its inception 39 years ago.

City Councilor David Tumulak, who also sits as Executive Committee chairman of SFI, said the recognition will be done during the Sinulog Launching Parade on January 11.

“We will give them Plaque of Recognition to honor them sa ilang contribution sa Sinulog until now. Kon wala pa sila, dili ingon ani ang Sinulog,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said they will confer awards to eight schools and universities that have been participating the festival’s launching parade for 39 years.

These are the Cebu Central Colleges now University of Cebu, Cebu Institute of Technology, Cebu School of Arts and Trade now Cebu Technological University, Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos now University of San Jose-Recoletos, Southwestern University, University of San Carlos, University of Southern Philippines, and University of the Visayas.

“Sa Cebu City Sports Center sila hatagan og award katong mga first schools nga ni participate sa Sinulog until now…since 1980, naa gihapon sila,” he said.

Aside from the awards to the schools, another set of awards will be given to the respective presidents of these schools that are still alive and have continued to support the foundation in celebrating Sinulog every year.

As of now, Tumulak’s office is still collating the past presidents of the schools.

Tumulak said SFI will also be conferring plaques of appreciation to the forefathers of SFI-Execom that have pioneered the formation of the festival into what it is now.

He said Sinulog wouldn’t be as grand as what it is today if not for the efforts of the previous officials that started serving the foundation in 1980.

Some of the awardees are David Odilao, Jr., who was the Execom chairman and production design head in 1980, and Dolores “Dolly” Suzara, who is one of the coordinators of the production team in 1980.

Tumulak said it is proper to honor the people behind the success of the festivity through the years.

“Daghan ta og pasidunggan sa launching parade. Atong i-honor sila kay sila ang naghatag og giya sa Sinulog nga niabot ang panahon nga nidako ang Sinulog,” he added.

Tumulak said the foundation has also decided to lengthen the parade route for the launching next year.

The parade will start from Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center.

The parade used to start from Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to Cebu City Sports Center.

“Tungod sa gidaghanon. There are 14 schools ang mo-participate sa grand launching. Atong gi-apil ang Legazpi Extension beside Plaza Independencia tungod sa gidaghanon sa participants,” he said.

In the previous years, Tumulak said the foundation and the committee have observed that Osmeña Boulevard will be congested with the participating schools and spectators.

The adjusted route will assist the organizers to spread the people from Plaza Independencia to Basilica church through Osmeña Boulevard going to the Cebu City Sports Center.

Before the launching parade, Tumulak said there will be a Solemn Mass at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño at 2:30 p.m.

After the Mass, Mayor Tomas Osmeña or any executive of the foundation and its committees will be the one to officially declare the launching of the festival.

At 3:30 p.m., dance troupes of different schools and universities and other participants will be assembled for the launching parade at the Plaza Independencia.

At 5 p.m., a short program at the Cebu City Sports Center will be held and awarding of schools, institutions, and individuals will start.

By 7 p.m., Tumulak said the new program dubbed as “Sugbuanong Musika” will be launched at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

The new program will feature Cebuano musicians, composers, interpreters, and arrangers.

Tumulak said the band of the Philippine National Police is also expected to perform at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Independencia on January 11. — GAN (FREEMAN)