Parade ushers in Sinulog 2010

CEBU, Philippines - The 30th edition of the annual Sinulog celebration had a festive kick off yesterday after a Mass held at the Basilica del Santo Niño.

A parade, featuring an all-Cebu theme, followed the Mass. 

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña led the city officials in the parade that also had the contestants of Miss Cebu 2010.

Street dancers also joined the parade that started from the Basilica heading to Fuente Osmeña then to the Cebu City Sports Center.

A total of 14 dance contingents joined the opening salvo, which was a teaser to the grand parade next Sunday.

In his speech, Osmeña, who is also the honorary chairman of Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), thanked the organizers and individuals for contributing their talents in making Sinulog one of the best festivals in the country.

“The best of Cebu will be coming from you, “he said.

As the overall chairman of SFI, Vice Mayor Michael Rama also thanked Osmeña and the city government for the support to the foundation.

The launching program, which lasted roughly three hours, included two-minute dance performances from the University of San Carlos, University of Southern Philippines, University of Cebu, and St. Catherine’s College-Carcar.

Also performing the Sinulog were dancers from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors’ College, Cebu Technological University, Velez College, Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology.

The Cebu Institute of Technology, Don Sergio Osmeña Memorial School, University of the Visayas, and Camp Lapu-lapu National School also performed their interpretations of the Sinulog.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Arnel Banzon, chief of Fuente Police Station, said that there were no reported untoward incidents during the program and estimated the crowd to reach 8,000. — Marjun Baguio (THE FREEMAN)