All ready for Sinulog 2012

CEBU, Philippines - With January fast approaching, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. says it is 100 percent ready for the much-awaited Sinulog festivities.

SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said preparations are complete, including the stage for the grand performances. Activities for next year’s Sinulog will revolve around the theme, “Cebu, City of Culture.”

Ballesteros said a lot can be expected from the festivities next month. “The grand production would feature a 30-minute presentation participated by almost 600 cast members,” he said. The upcoming Sinulog has a production budget of around P35-40M.

The opening and grand finale will be participated in by dance troupes from different schools in the city who will be wearing different ASEAN national costumes.

Gymnasts, cheer dancers and members of the Dancesport Team Cebu City will also perform during the finale together with Cebuano singers Anna Fegi, Maria Donna and other artists working in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Creations of world-renowned furniture artist Kenneth Cobonpue and Cebuano fashion designer Monique Lhuillier will also be featured during the presentation.

A new song for Cebu entitled “Welcome to Cebu” composed by Cebuano singer and composer Gani Villarojo will be introduced during the grand presentation. The song will be performed by winners of Sinulog Idol.

Ballesteros said all participating delegations from outside Cebu have expressed excitement for next month’s Sinulog. “All are prepared and excited,” he said.

There will be 17 delegations for the Sinulog sa Dakbayan and another 17 for the Sinulog sa Lalawigan. Twelve delegations from outside Cebu have confirmed, so far, but Ballesteros said they are expecting confirmation from a contingent from Laguna.

The stage is being finalized at this point in time. It will have a new mechanical backdrop that would make it easier to shift to another scene.

Delegates have been instructed to preempt a bad weather and to have costumes that are water proof or to use materials that would not make it difficult for dancers to perform when it rains.

Another activity to look forward to, he said, is the Sinulog workshop that can be participated in by coaches and trainers. 

For the Sinulog photo contest, Ballesteros said they are expecting more participants this time around. As of the third week of December, 500 photographers have already registered. Just like last year, however, the number of participants would be limited to only 2000.

Ballesteros said next year’s Sinulog’s Photo contest will have the biggest prize, so far, with P100,000 as grand prize.  (FREEMAN)