CEBU, Philippines - Bigger prizes and more contests will make next month’s Sinulog celebration different from the previous years.
For contingents participating in the much-anticipated Grand Parade, the first place winners in the Sinulog-based, Free Interpretation, and street dancing categories will receive P1 million each; the second place winners will receive P700,000; the third placer winners will receive P500,000; the fourth place winners will receive P300,000; and the fifth place winners will receive P200,000.
Winners of special awards like Best in Costume and Best in Musicality will receive P100,000.
In the 2014 contests, the second place winners received only P500,000; the third place winners received P300,000; the fourth place winners received P200,000; while the fifth place winners received P100,000.
“Among gipatas-an kay dako baya kaayo sila og gasto sa transportation pa lang daan (and other expenses),” said Sinulog Foundation Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros.
So far, 37 contingents have registered – 15 from Cebu City, 12 from Cebu province, and 10 from other towns. The Sinulog Foundation will continue to accept registrants until January 10.
The dancing contingents will be accommodated at the City Central School, Zapatera Elementary School, among others.
“Amo ng gi make-sure nga tarong ang electricity, ilang room, supply sa tubig, tanan,” Ballesteros said.
On December 14, the SFI will start building the giant stage at the Cebu City Sports Center where the contingents will perform their finale. Ballesteros said this might be the biggest stage in the history of the festivities.
Tickets for the seats at the sports center may now be purchased at the Sinulog Foundation Office and through its website – www.sinulog.ph. The tickets will be released on January 3.
Ballesteros said the city government will finance the prizes while the rest of the expenses will be shouldered by sponsorships.
The 2015 edition, Ballesteros said, will include a music video making contest, aside from the documentary and short film making contests.
He said the budget for next month’s festivities is between P40 million to P45 million, which covers the prizes.
Hotels, he said, have been booked fully since last month.
“As for tourists for sure we are expecting this year, as I know hotels are already fully booked last October,” he said.
“They better book their flights earlier so they can get discounted rates. As of now, if you’re going to book a flight to Cebu during Sinulog time, it will cost you around P10,000 up,” he said.
The 2015 festivities will kick off on January 9, which will be followed by the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan on January 10, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan on January 11, and the Grand Parade on January 18. As always, the awarding ceremonies will be held the day after the Grand Parade. – JMO (FREEMAN)