Pasigarbo benchmarked CCSC as Sinulog venue

CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the successful staging of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 has benchmarked the integrity of Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) as primary venue of the upcoming Sinulog 2025.

Garcia commended the success of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, an annual festival of festivals in celebration of the founding anniversary of Cebu Province. The acting mayor said the celebration concluded peacefully without major untoward incident.

"The success of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo just proves that ang angay nga venue for Sinulog is still in the Cebu City Sports Center," said Garcia.

Earlier, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia promised the Cebu City government of her full support for the Sinulog 2025.

The province did not participate in this year's Sinulog after suspended Mayor Michael Rama insisted in hosting the Sinulog grand showdown at the Cebu South Road Property (SRP).

"I am hoping  with the entry and the support coming from the Provincial Government we can have double, easily have double number of participants (from this year) with the participation of the Cebu Province," the acting mayor said.

During the Sinulog last January only 16 contingents participated in the Grand Ritual Showdown—none from Cebu Province. Acting Mayor Garcia said that with the support of Cebu Province and having CCSC back as the primary venue, next year's Sinulog will be "livelier and grander".

He also reiterated that he will not be waiting for Rama to return from his preventive suspension to begin the Sinulog preparations.

"I cannot wait anymore to plan for Sinulog in November because that's only two months (before Sinulog), that is already too late," Raymond said.

Rama's six-month preventive suspension is set to end in November. According to the acting mayor, he will be releasing directives to begin the planning by next week where he will call the executive committee and the Sinulog Foundation.

He, however, admitted that this will be up to Rama if he will continue the plan as soon as he is back from suspension.

As for Rama's participation in the executive committee of Sinulog, he said he would take a look at it.

The acting mayor said there will be several changes in the holding of the Sinulog celebration. For example, he wouldn't want the Grand Ritual Showdown to last until dawn.

He also would want the Sinulog performances to level up. FPL (CEBU NEWS)