Out-of-town groups start arriving in city

CEBU, Philippines - Out-of-town contingents have started arriving in Cebu City to prepare for the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, January 18.

Judy Navarette of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. said the contingent from Placer, Masbate arrived last Saturday while the contingent from Catbalogan, Samar arrived last Sunday night. Yesterday, the contingent from Tangub City, Alang-Alang and Abuyog in Leyte, and Masbate arrived.

Navarette said the contingents from North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte are expected to arrive tomorrow, Wednesday, while the contingent from Panglao, Bohol is expected to arrive the following day.

The contingents from Tangub City; Abuyog, Leyte; Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato will be staying at the Abellana National High School while those from Alang-alang, Leyte; Masbate City; Placer, Masbate and Catbalogan, Samar will be staying at the City Central School.

The contingent from Panglao, Bohol will be accommodated at Zapatera Elementary School.

Navarette said it is always advantageous for out-of-town contingents to arrive early for them to be able to prepare and practice their props.

“Para maka-practice sila. Ang props nila, para makaandam pa kay lagyo man sila. Para sab mausa ra ang ilang mga contingents,” she said.

Barry Luche, the choreographer of the contingent from Placer, Masbate said it is necessary for them to arrive early because 80 percent of their dancers are first time participants.

“Ang ako lang gyud gusto kay ma-test ang mga bata sa crowd. They are not used to perform like ingon ani nga engrande. Ang ako nga ma-expose ang mga bata sa sige practice daghan magtan-aw hangtod ma-get used,” he said.

Placer has joined the Grand Parade since 1999 but many of the dancers have reportedly moved to other places, thus, many are new.

Meanwhile, Alang-alang Mayor Loreto Yu said they make it a point to come to Cebu City early when they join the Grand Parade. This is the first time that the town is joining the competition.

It was not able to participate last year because the town was still recovering from the effects of super typhoon Yolanda, which hit Eastern Visayas in 2013.

“Hinay-hinay (recover) pero nagbag-o mi tanan props ug costumes,” he said.  (FREEMAN)