Sinulog Festival 2025: Preparations in full swing

CEBU, Philippines —  Less than a month before the event, preparations for Sinulog 2025 are in full swing, with 42 dancing contingents already confirmed.

In an interview with the media, Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella shared that they are continuously preparing for Sinulog 2025.

He explained that preparation tasks have been divided into six clusters: promotion, contest, presentation, protocol, social welfare, and logistics.

Labella disclosed that Sinulog 2025 will have contingents from all over the country, with groups from different regions participating. With registration officially closed last December 15, 2024, Labella said 42 dancing contingents will be participating.

From Cebu Province, at least 12 contingents have registered and will merge with the Grand Ritual Showdown. It was reported that there will be no Sinulog sa Lalawigan in 2025, as contingents from Cebu Province will directly participate in the main event.

This development was welcomed by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who said that she actually suggested removing Sinulog sa Lalawigan even before to save the government from double expenses.

“In fact, last year, I suggested that to Jojo… nga you know na doble na ang expenses ani, naa nay Sinulog sa Lalawigan, Sinulog sa Dakbayan unya mag Sinulog pa gyud mo. Nag gasto na ang mga skwelahan, mogasto na sad balik. Ngaong dili na lang nato usahon?” Garcia said during her live press conference yesterday at the Capitol.

Garcia said the performance level of the contingents has already leveled up, not just to compete but to pay homage to Sr. Sto. Niño.

As far as the contingents are concerned, Labella said that everything has already been prepared.

Among the major events are the January 9 Walk with Jesus, January 10 Sinulog Launching Parade, January 12 Sinulog sa Dakbayan, January 15 Miss Cebu 2025, January 16 Sinulog Idol Grand Finals, January 17 Walk with Mary and the Festival Queen Coronation Night, along with the Sinulog Open Style Battle Finals, January 18 Fluvial Parade & Solemn Foot Procession of Sr. Sto. Niño, and the January 22 Awarding Ceremonies.

The events will culminate with the Sinulog 2025 Grand Parade on January 19.

Among the participants, 34 are competing contingents, including groups 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 MassKara Festival from Bacolod City.

As for the parade route, Labella said it will still follow the traditional carousel type, but it will cover a distance of at least six kilometers. It will begin at General Maxilom, proceed to Mango Avenue, continue to Fuente Osmeña Boulevard, turn left onto P. del Rosario, and go toward Imus.

To pay tribute to the original Sinulog route, Labella also said that the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will begin in Barangay Mabolo. On the same day, the Brass Band Competition will take place, with its route starting from Barangay Carreta.

The construction of the stage is already underway at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) as the Sinulog Grand Celebration returns to this venue.

Further, Labella mentioned that they are expecting financial aid from Cebu Province, emphasizing that the support of the governor has been highly evident. He also confirmed that Governor Garcia will be offering a Sinulog dance this year.

“Musayaw man gyud na (Governor Gwendolyn Garcia), from what I heard,” said Labella.

Additionally, Labella said they expect the Sinulog Festival celebration to draw an influx of crowds.

According to him, one indicator is the larger-than-usual crowd at the Lighting of the Christmas Tree last December in Fuente Circle.

“One event rato, in the evening, Sinulog is the whole day. But definitely, ang kining crowd is expected to draw nga grabe nga crowd. However, among our preparations is to have bleachers along the route,” said Labella.

He added that they are preparing at least 600 bleachers, each with a seating capacity for 24 people. According to Labella, this is expected to help control and regulate the crowd along the route.

“Ang ako lang gyud nga hangyo sa mga spectators… kung huot na gyud kaayo, adjust na lang kay taas-taas man ni nga (route). This is six kilometers,” Labella said.

It was also reported that, instead of implementing a total ban, street parties should be thoroughly coordinated with the Cebu City Government and local police, as suggested by the Committee on Peace and Order of the Cebu City Council.

The same committee also supported the plan to impose a liquor ban and emphasized that there is no need to implement a signal jam during the celebration.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has previously said that he was considering issuing an executive order regulating liquor consumption during Sinulog but has yet to decide on street parties.

According to him, there is a possibility that an executive order will be issued, imposing a ban on liquor consumption within 200 to 300 meters of the Sinulog parade route.

Councilor Philip Zafra, chairman of the Cebu City Council's Committee on Peace and Order, who has led the peace and order efforts during previous Sinulog celebrations, said he would recommend maintaining the status quo of the guidelines implemented in previous years.

For the first time in history, the four municipalities of Camotes Island are joining forces to represent their island for the upcoming Sinulog Grand Parade.

Around 400 performers—30 to 40 each from San Francisco, Poro, Tudela, and Pilar—will form the One Enchanting Camotes contingent.

Arjay Obguia, the contingent’s artistic and creative director, said their performance’s message is about Christianity and how faith united the four towns in achieving their goal.

“Ang message na gusto nga ihatag kay through faith, the united island is achievable, which is mao nay nahitabo sa Camotes,” Obguia told The Freeman.

“Since this is the centennial celebration, ang among ginafocus mao ang paghalad gyud, pangaliya, ug pasalamat,” he added.

The contingent started their practice in December last year and is currently finalizing the remaining one minute of their presentation. They are practicing at the gym of the Municipality of Tudela, the host municipality.

As they continue to prepare for their performance, the contingent has also ensured that the studies of the dancers are not affected by adjusting the scheduled practices.

The contingent is receiving financial support not just from the four respective LGUs, but also from subsidies provided by the Capitol and the Sinulog Foundation.

To save on expenses for their presentation, the contingent is maximizing existing props and materials used by the four towns during their performances at Pasigarbo sa Sugbo last year.

The Camotes Island contingent is handled by Clappers Production, an established group of artists specializing in festival contingents and performances.

Aside from Camotes, other LGUs from Cebu Province joining the Sinulog this year include the cities of Talisay, Carcar, Toledo, and Danao City; the highly urbanized cities (HUCs) of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu; and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan, and Carmen.

With the Sinulog Grand Parade returning to the CCSC, Obguia said this brings a sense of nostalgia.

“To be honest, nostalgia, mibalik siya sa naandan. Nindot ang among pamati nga makabalik ta kon diin asa ang naandan,” he said.(CEBU NEWS)