Sinulog winners cry: Where is our prize?

CEBU, Philippines - Over two months after Talisay City Elementary School joined and won first place in the “Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan” in January, the pupils, who spent hours practicing and endured heat and rain to perfect their steps, are left wondering when they would get their share of the prize.

The contingent got P400,000 in cash reward after topping the Sinulog sa Kabataan and landing fourth place during the Sinulog ritual showdown.

The students, who requested not to be named, said School Principal Erwin Caparida treated them to a party after the victory, but P300,000 of the total  winnings was borrowed by Talisay City Budget Officer Edgar Mabunay.

In an interview with reporters, Caparida confirmed Mabunay indeed borrowed the P300,000 to pay for necessary expenses, like the fee for the drum and bugle;  and expenses for food and transportation of props, among others.

Caparida said he spent P100,000 of the cash reward in the victory party for the members of the school’s contingents.

The school principal said they intend to do come up with a project that would benefit the children once Mabunay pays back.  This, however, may no longer be realized.

In a separate interview, Mabunay said the city provided almost P2 million in funds as budget only for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, which happened a week before the Jan. 19 Sinulog grand parade.

He said there was no budget for the contingent joining the grand parade he was left with no choice but to borrow the money from Caparida for expenses like bonus pay for the drum and bugle members and for the choreographer.

“Wala intawn nako gihulaman ang kwarta aron sa akong (I borrowed the money not for) personal needs kung dili para sa (but for the) Sinulog,” he said, adding that he can provide official receipts for the amount spent during the Sinulog grand parade.

He said that the students and the others who were part of the school’s Sinulog contingent should not anymore expect a big amount as share of the cash prizes because of the expenses.

The pupils would have to make do with whatever would be left after Mabunay deducts the expenses from the P300,000.

Mabunay did not also specify when he would reimburse the amount he borrowed, as he has yet to do an accounting of all expenses, which he said are supported by receipts.—/RHM (FREEMAN)