Sinulog draws stars, politicians, tourists

Cebu’s Sinulog Festival has once again become a venue for people, particularly movie stars and politicians, including those who are still planning to seek government posts, to promote their shows and political motives. 

During yesterday’s Sinulog Grand Parade, a countless celebrities and national government officials from the capital and different places in the country were seen at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Among them were former Senate president Manuel Villar, who has openly admitted his plans to seek the presidential post in the 2010 elections and Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan.

But what the audience did not expect was the presence of Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, son of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who exposed the controversial NBN-ZTE Broadband deal. However, the moment Joey’s name was acknowledged by the host, spectators gave him boos instead of applauses.

There are reports that the younger de Venecia is planning to run for senator in next year’s elections.

Movie actor turned politician Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also graced the affair and received cheers from the audience.

Former movie actress and now Tacloban City first councilwoman Cristina “Kring-Kring” Gonzales-Romualdez and her husband Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romuladez were also present to give support to their contingent, the Tacloban Tribu Kabatok that joined the Sinulog for the first time.

Movie stars Anne Curtis together with her co-stars in the teleserye, “Dyosa,” like Christian Vasquez and Joel Torre were on the float of M. Lhuillier pawnshop and jewelry.

Popular love team Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion, who have an upcoming movie, also graced the event. They were cheered by thousands of fans.

A number of both local and foreign tourists were awed by the grandiose event and could hardly put their video cameras down just to make sure everything is documented.

If in the past years, checking of tickets at the entrance of the Cebu City Sports Center was not that strict, but yesterday, the Sinulog organizers were more meticulous in checking the passes of each of those who wanted to watch the event.

This after they confiscated several fake tickets from several persons who tried to get inside the sports center.

The tickets were allegedly sold outside the venue but according to one of those in charge at the entrance, the tickets issued by the Sinulog Foundation Inc. were already sold out the day before the event.

The Cebu City Sports Center’s grandstand was teeming with people and the streets, especially along the parade route, was very crowded.

It drizzled at around 3 p.m. but it did not dampen the spirit of the revelers to enjoy the festivities. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Liv G. Campo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)