SFI launches Sinulog 2011

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Government is preparing a P2-million program of works and estimates for the asphalting of the five-kilometer Sinulog Carousel Route in preparation for the Sinulog Festival grand mardi gras January next year.

Security plan is also being laid out to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration.

Despite the recent terrorism issue and Bar Exam bombing incident, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said that the marketing of the event was not affected and proudly reported that all hotels have started accepting bookings and are close to being fully-booked on the Sinulog day.

SFI launched the Sinulog 2011 yesterday and announced the schedule of events including the new activities that the public can expect starting the second day of January until the grand parade on the 16th.

As early the January 2, there will be a fun run, a first time for Sinulog. January 6 will be the Opening Salvo - Walk for Jesus from Fuente Osmeña to the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

The Sinulog 2011 will officially kick-off on January 7, which will be marked by a mass at the Basilica, a parade from the church to the Cebu City Sports Center where the launching program will be held at 7 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m. on the same day will be the presentation of Ms. Cebu 2011 candidates at the Fuente Osmeña Circle before the preliminary elimination for the second Sinulog Idol.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan - Lalawigan is scheduled on January 8. Ballesteros said that there are 18 contingents from the province that have, so far, announced their plan to join.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan - Dakbayan, on the other hand, is on January 9 with 16 contingents already expressing interests.

There will be a cultural show on January 10 and 11 at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Ms. Cebu 2011's coronation night is on January 12 at the Waterfront Lahug Hotel.

The Sinulog Grand Parade on January 16 will start with a Mañanita Mass at 4 a.m. to be followed by the Pontifical Mass with his Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at 6 a.m.

The grand parade starts at 9 a.m. until all contingents is able to perform at the grand stand.

Ballesteros said that next year will be bigger than this year because they started their preparation earlier to meet their target ahead of time.

With the P12 million aid from the Cebu City government, Ballesteros said that they only have to raise some P15 to P18 million from the private sectors which they are confident to raise before January.

This year, the city only gave P10 million but they increased to P12 million upon the request of SFI for additional budget for the prizes. The additional P2 million shall cover the prizes for the new competitions such as the music festival, the best dance crew and the fun run.

Next year's Sinulog Festival will have a touch of the Chinese culture to veer away from the traditional theme and to pay tribute to the Chinese community in Cebu.

Ballesteros said they are expecting around 50 contingents for the Sinulog dance especially that he has got a word from some nine cities and municipalities outside Cebu about their interest to participate as out of town contingents.

SFI will be providing P100,000 transportation allowance to each out of town contingent while contingents from Cebu province and the city will get P50,000 each as subsidy. (FREEMAN)