SFI fails to get reaccreditation

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. appeared before the Provincial Board yesterday in the hope of renewing the foundation’s accreditation with Capitol, which would allow it to collect the financial support the province has promised for the past two years.

Unfortunately, however, the presence of its three members was not enough to regain the accreditation.

Under the rules of the Provincial Board, groups that seek accreditation through an ordinance must have at least half of its officers present when the Board tackles the accreditation in a session.

Only SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros, Anna Coñejero representing the Cebu City government, and Board of Directors member Robert Go. Board Members Joseph Gaisano and Renato Dychangco sent representatives but they were not acknowledged by the Board.

The other members of the SFI Board for Sinulog 2014 are Augusto Go, Michel Lhuiller, Frederick Ong Jr., Sabas Suarez, Barbara Tan, Rafaelito Barino, Pericles Dakay, Enrique Benedicto and Lim Liu.

The Chairman of the Board is Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Ballesteros admitted that they knew of Capitol’s policy on attendance but it is reportedly difficult to gather all Board members because most of them have hectic schedules being big businessmen.

Provincial Board Member Raul Alcoseba asked if an exemption could be granted to SFI but Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, the presiding officer, said the same has not been granted to any group.

During the recess, the board, together with the SFI officers present, agreed that the other SFI officers who would not be able to attend the next session on Monday, November 24, would have to issue a certification that they are members of the SFI Board. The certifications would be presented by Ballesteros himself. 

Ballesteros disclosed that once accreditation is renewed, the Sinulog Foundation would be able to collect P1.5 million, which represents two years of financial aid from the provincial government. In 2013, the province donated P500,000 and anoher P1 million was promised for last January’s celebration but the money was not released precisely because the foundation has not renewed its accreditation with Capitol.

Ballesteros said the P1.5 million would be a big help for the 2015 Sinulog, which they have estimated to reach up to P50 million.

On top of the P1.5 million, Ballesteros said they are also hoping that the province will donate another amount for the upcoming Sinulog. The lowest amount the province has donated was P500,000 and Ballesteros said they hope this would go higher.

Bigger Sinulog

Two months until the January event, Ballesteros said the foundation is 70 percent ready for the much-anticipated festivities.  

He said that P25 million, which would be coming from the Cebu City government, will be spent for prizes alone, as they have decided to increase the prizes for dancing contingents.

“Ang gasto man gud sa mga contingent maabot ug P5 million,” Ballesteros said.

Grand prize winners in the Free Interpretation and Sinulog-based categories took home P1 million in 2013 and 2014 and winners in January 2015 will receive the same amount.

Second place winners received P500,000 this year and will receive P700,000 in January 2015. The third to sixth place winners will get P500,000; P300,000; P200,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Ballesteros said the theme for the 2015 celebration will revolve around “Sto. Niño, hope of the people” in line with the 450th year of the finding of the image of the Sto. Niño in Cebu, the 450th year of presence of the Augustinians in the Philippines and the 50th year anniversary of the Sto. Niño church as Basilica Minore.  With these celebrations, Ballesteros said it is just fitting to hold a grander festivity, which will be showcased on a bigger Sinulog stage and with more activities.

Apart from the annual short film, documentary, and photo competitions, Ballesteros said they have added the music video category to the contests to help entice, through social media, more tourists to take part in the Sinulog.

Interested participants can visit or call the Sinulog Foundation Office at the Cebu City Sports Center. 

Ballesteros said further that they expect more dancing contingents this January and a number of out of town contingents have already confirmed attendance. — /JMO  (FREEMAN)