EDITORIAL — Things that need clarified

The Cebu City government has officially launched its busking program.

“It’s time for the buskers of the City of Cebu nga makapasundayag sa ilang nga talents dinhi sa siyudad...Hinaot pa unta that we will continue this so that atong mapakita sa atong siyudad ang atong makapakita ang mga talented na musicians sa atong siyudad sa Sugbo,” said Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival during the formal launching of the program at the Senior Citizens’ Park recently.

This comes months after the controversy following the arrest of two men who insisted that they were just performing in the city’s streets and not begging, which is prohibited as per a city ordinance.

Now the city has to set clear rules for buskers.

The definitions of the two acts are clear enough; busking is singing, dancing, or performing any entertaining act for money. It relies on the passersby’s appreciation of the performance. On the other hand, begging doesn’t involve any performance, but relies more on the compassion of others to give alms.

For one of the two men earlier arrested --a man who acted as a “human statue” in and around Colon Street-- what landed him in trouble was his act of holding up a cup for people to put money in after his performance; something Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Office personnel interpreted as begging.

That’s where it can get confusing. Is asking for money following the conclusion of a performance still considered busking or does it cross over to the prohibited act of begging?

There are other questions: Does the performer have to be in costume or play certain instruments so he can be classified as a busker and not be mistaken as a mere beggar? Are there certain performances than can be considered busking as opposed to just begging? In what specific places can they perform so they won’t be considered beggars?

We feel that these are things the city should clear up before performers take to the streets in the hopes of earning tips and gratuities.