10 Japanese ASEAN delegates stay to witness Sinulog festival

Following serious business in the recently concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, 10 consuls from Japan have decided to remain in Cebu to witness the Sinulog festivities particularly the much-awaited Mardi Gras tomorrow, January 21.

Cebu City Information officer Nagiel Banacia yesterday said the 10 consuls would definitely be given VIP seats at the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Complex. However, their accommodation and security would be taken cared of by the Japan consular office here.

Banacia assured security at the sports complex would be very strict to ensure the safety of the dignitaries.

The 10 consuls are among those that composed the official Japanese delegation headed by Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Japan is ASEAN's dialogue partner and participated in the East Asia Summit at the last day of the event.

ASEAN's other dialogue partners include Australia, India, New Zealand, China and Korea.

Aside from the diplomats, Banacia said there are also foreign journalists who covered the summit and opted to remain here in Cebu to witness the Sinulog. However, the foreign journalists reportedly would not want their identities made public.

Even before it resumed preparations for this year's Sinulog, Cebu City has spent substantial time with its preparations for the summit. The city government was in charge of the foreign media that covered the event.

The city also participated in the spouses program intended to allow the wives of the heads of states to go around Cebu City and neighboring cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

The ASEAN Summit resumed last week following a controversial postponement last month. The event was originally scheduled on December 10, 2006 but organizers decided to move it owing to typhoon Seniang that was scheduled to hit Cebu the same day the heads of states were to arrive in Cebu. - Joeberth M. Ocao