SFI: Pope’s visit won’t affect Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. are confident that next year’s Sinulog Festival will still draw visitors even if the celebration would be in time for the visit of Pope Francis in the country.

 “We can show also nga dili matabunan ang atong selebrasyon sa Cebu. We make sure nga it is going to be religious. For me it will also compliment the pope’s visit,” SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said.

Earlier, the Vatican has announced the official itinerary of Pope Francis for his visit in the country on January 15 to 19, 2015.  Among the places to be  visited by the Pope are Tacloban City, Palo, Leyte and Manila – Cebu City and Cebu Province are not included.

 Mayor Michael Rama has been appealing for the city to be included in the Pope’s itinerary.

 Ballesteros said every year the celebration has been improving from stage design, production, performances, among others.

 “As you can see every year naa mi’y something to look forward. Every year, we come up with new ideas so even the stage evolve also from the small to biggest, design and even the music,” he said.

He said they are also making sure that the performances of the contingents are improving.

 Also, for the tickets, they are now selling in their office and through their official website www.sinulog.ph which will help draw more crowds for the celebration. The tickets will be released on January 3.

 As an indicator that there will still be more visitors during the celebration despite the pope’s visit, he said that based on his feedback, hotels are already fully booked.

Ballesteros said the Sandiego Dance Company’s presentation of Sinulog dance in Manila during the pope’s visit will compliment the celebration.

 Though there is no guarantee that the pope will visit in Cebu, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city government is getting ready in case the pontiff will change his mind and include Cebu in his itinerary.

“If in case he will change his mind, we have already prepared for anything that may happen,” Labella.

He said there will be at least 1,000 police personnel to be deployed during the Sinulog activities.

Ballesteros said they have coordinated with the hospital, Bureau of Fire Protection and other agencies to help them maintain the peace and order as well as safety of the people who will attend the celebration.

 Ballesteros said they are also increasing the prizes of the contests.

 For the Sinulog-based, free interpretation and best in street dancing, the first placer will receive P1 million, second place will receive P700,000 and P500 thousand, P300 thousand and P200 thousand for third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.

For best in costume and musicality, the winner will receive P100,000.

During the Sinulog 2014 the second placer only received P500,000; P300,000 for third; P200,000 for fourth; and firth placer received P100,000.

  “Among gipatas-an kay dako baya kaayo sila og gasto sa transportation pa lang daan (and other expenses),” he said.

 According to him, their budget for next year is about P45 million including the prizes.

 He said the city government will finance the prizes while the rest of the expenses will be shouldered from sponsorships. The Capitol is also expected to give financial assistance.

 At present, there are already 15 contingents from the city, 12 from Cebu province and 10 out-of-town contingents. He said they will be accepting more until January 10 next year.

 The contingents will be billeted in public schools such as City Central School, Zapatera Elementary School, among others.

 Based on the schedule of activities, Sinulog 2015 will kick off on January 9, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan will be on January 10, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will be on January 11, Sinulog Grand Parade will be on January 18 and the awarding ceremonies will on the following day.

Yesterday, the SFI has opened the Sinulog Photo Exhibit at SM City Cebu wherein candidates for Miss Cebu 2015 were also recognized. (FREEMAN)