SFI scraps Sinulog sa Lalawigan

CEBU, Philippines — For the first time in a while, there will be no separate Sinulog sa Lalawigan next year, as the contingents from Cebu Province will directly join the Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown.

Three days ago, the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) announced the schedule of activities for Sinulog 2025 through their Facebook page.

The major events include the Walk with Jesus on January 9, the Sinulog Launching Parade on January 10, Sinulog sa Dakbayan on January 12, and Miss Cebu 2025 on January 15. Other events are the Sinulog Idol Grand Finals on January 16; the Walk with Mary, Festival Queen Coronation Night, and the Sinulog Open Style Battle Finals on January 17; and the Fluvial Parade and Solemn Foot Procession of Sr. Sto. Niño on January 18.

The Sinulog 2025 Grand Parade is set on January 19, while the Awarding Ceremonies will take place on January 22.

However, it can be observed that the usual Sinulog sa Lalawigan, which typically takes place a day after Sinulog sa Dakbayan, is not included in the schedule.

SFI Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella told reporters in an interview yesterday (Thursday) that the contingents for Sinulog sa Lalawigan will now directly compete in the Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown.

According to Labella, this schedule may change as they are still finalizing everything.

Initially, Labella said the Marching Brass Band competition was supposed to take place on the same date as the Sinulog sa Dakbayan. The competition’s route is still under discussion, with possibilities including Mabolo or the Grand Parade route.

The Marching Band competition was supposed to feature majorettes, but Labella said that due to time constraints, this aspect may need further evaluation. However, he assured that the details will be finalized in the first week of January.

It was reported that as the registration for contingents for Sinulog 2025 comes to a close, the SFI has recorded double the number of participants compared to the previous year. However, they have expressed that the city can still accommodate up to 40 participants.

Labella said that a total of 37 participants have been recorded for the Grand Ritual Showdown. He also mentioned that Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is keen on extending the number of participants to a maximum of 40.

Sinulog 2024 had 18 contingents, including guest performers.

Among the 37 participants, 34 are competing contingents from out-of-town, Cebu City, and Cebu Province, while the remaining participants will perform as guests. Labella noted that one of the guest performers is the Maskara Festival from Bacolod City.

Registration for contingents began on December 1 and ended on December 8, 2024.

GWEN TO DANCE DURING SINULOG

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will once again offer a Sinulog dance to Señor Santo Niño.

This time, she will be dancing with the performers of the Dagitab Festival from the City of Naga.

During the Dagitab Festival held last December 23 at the Teodoro “Doring” Mendiola Sr. Sports Field and Track Oval, Garcia announced that she will be dancing again for the Holy Child for the 16th time in the upcoming Sinulog Grand Parade 2025.

“Karong Enero, moapil ang Naga not as competitor but as a guest contingent, and it is my honor to dance with the Dagitab Festival,” Garcia said.

The Dagitab Festival of Naga is the reigning champion of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024.

Meanwhile, the Dagitab Festival celebration had a total allocation of P8.85 million. Of this amount, P5 million was for the socio-cultural expenses of the LGU, while the seven participating contingents received P500,000 each from the Cebu Provincial Government.

First District Congresswoman Rhea Gullas also announced that an additional P50,000 each would be provided to the contingents. —ATO (CEBU NEWS)