Pam mulls leaner cultural showcase

CEBU, Philippines — Almost a year after signaling the end of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo under her administration, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is now considering a leaner province-wide cultural showcase that could bring Cebu’s festivals back to the spotlight without the hefty price tag.

In a press briefing yesterday, Baricuatro stressed that the provincial government cannot afford to spend hundreds of millions of pesos on a cultural spectacle.

The governor said conversations with the provincial government's planning team have already started regarding the possible revival of a festival gathering that would feature contingents from across Cebu.

“For Festival of Festivals, nagsugod na ta og istorya sa atong planning team. Most likely I will support it,” Baricuatro said.

She explained that the initiative aims to promote Cebu's cultural heritage while providing a platform for local artists and performers from various towns and cities.

“It's also to encourage sa atong heritage and also sa creatives nato nga atong silang ma-showcase but we have to put our expenses down,” she said.

According to Baricuatro, nearly every local government unit (LGUs) in Cebu already has its own established festival, making it practical to gather and showcase these performances in a single provincial event.

She added that such a showcase could also help identify the province's representative for the Sinulog Festival.

“Mas maayo sad unta nga ma-showcase nato sila, mapilian nato sila kay para ig ka-Sinulog dili nata ma-problema kinsa atong ipadala,” she said.

The governor said one of the primary objectives of the proposed event is to streamline the selection of Cebu Province's representative for the annual Sinulog festivities.

“If ever we'll push to it, mainly for the Sinulog. Para ig January dili na mag tinukmuray kung kinsa mo-represent sa Province,” she added.

Baricuatro emphasized that the proposed Festival of Festivals would be different from Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, the flagship cultural event introduced during the administration of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“Of course. If ever madayon na, we have to keep the expenses down and besides we can't afford P300 million for Pasigarbo,” she said when asked if the planned showcase would differ from Pasigarbo.

She said organizers are still discussing the event's official name and final concept.

“We're planning pa kung unsa atong ipangalan ani,” Baricuatro said.

Despite being in the planning stage, the governor indicated that the event could already be mounted during Cebu Province's founding anniversary celebration this year.

“Yeah kay ready naman. Di man pareha sauna nga mangita pa kinsa'y mosayaw,” she said when asked if the showcase could be held the Founding Anniversary in August

Baricuatro also noted that the event would likely require only minimal funding since many of the participating contingents already have existing performers, costumes and festival presentations.

“Gamay ra jud siguro ang budget ani kay naa naman, ready,” she said.

The governor added that the event, if approved, would still be held in Cebu City.

Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, a brainchild of former governor Garcia, became one of the province's biggest cultural gatherings, bringing together cities and municipalities in a grand competition featuring street dancing, performances and elaborate costumes

While Pasigarbo was not created through a separate ordinance, its funding has traditionally been sourced through the province's Annual Appropriations Ordinance, making its implementation largely dependent on the priorities of the sitting governor.

In 2024, the Capitol released around P55 million in cash prizes to winning contingents during the awarding ceremony and repeat performances held at the Cebu City Sports Center.

That amount came on top of more than P200 million allocated for preparations and subsidies connected to the event, including approximately P150 million in financial assistance distributed to participating local government units.

Mainland contingents received P3 million each, while island municipalities were allotted P3.5 million each to support their preparations. — (FREEMAN)