SFI says Sinulog sa Kabataan winners will get bigger prizes

CEBU, Philippines - At least 17 contingents from the different schools in Cebu City, nine for the elementary and eight for the secondary divisions, will compete in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan on January 10, 2010.

This as the prize for the winners has more than doubled from last year’s prize.

First prize winners in elementary and high school divisions will receive P150,000 while the second placers will get P100,000 and P75,000 for the third prize winners. The fourth placers will get P50,000 and P25,000 for the 5th prizes.

It was learned that winners of the Sinulog sa Kabataan in 2009 in both elementary and secondary divisions only received P10,000 to P40,000 as cash prizes.

Meanwhile, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. is still waiting for the confirmation of other contingents in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan which will be staged on January 9.

SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros expects 20 contingents to vie for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan next year.

Last year, 17 contingents had competed in both the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.

Ballesteros said that winners in Sinulog sa Kabataan 2009 will again participate next year and defend their crown in their respective divisions.

Pajo Elementary School and Carcar Central National High School emerged victorious in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan this year while Lahug Elementary School and Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School bagged the top prize in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan.

On January 9, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan participants will start their parade at 2 p.m. from the Capitol grounds down to Cebu City Sports Center. The next day, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan contingents will begin their parade at 2 p.m. from Plaza Independencia to CCSC.

Top five winners in each division or the elite 20 contingents of the Sinulog sa Kabataan will automatically be included in the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 17.

According to the Sinulog 2010 schedule of festival activities, the opening salvo of the celebrations will be on January 7. It will start with a “Walk with Jesus” at 4 a.m. from Fuente Osmeña to Basilica del Santo Niño where the installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores will follow.

On January 8, there will be a Holy Mass at the Basilica at 7 p.m. that will be followed by a launching parade to the CCSC. Later in the evening, the Miss Cebu 2010 candidates will be presented at Fuente Osmeña after the opening and launching program. — Elly Bolonos/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)