Capitol to feature Pope Francis in float for Sinulog Grand Parade

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government plans to feature Pope Francis along with the image of Sto. Niño on its float for this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade.

This would be the second time the Capitol will send its float to the grand parade since 2003.

Lawyer Ramil Abing, assistant provincial administrator, said the concept of the float submitted by the Provincial Information Office shows a Pope Francis’ standee, appears to be waving his right hand, and the icon of the Holy Child placed on the top of the float.

Abing explained that the ‘simple’ float would depict unity with the pontiff being one with the Cebuanos in times of calamities.

He, however, made it clear that design of the ‘Pope-themed’ float, including its total cost, is being finalized by the Provincial Engineering Office for the approval of Governor Hilario Davide III.

The last time the Capitol created a float was more than 10 years ago when it bagged second place during the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Last year, the provincial government’s float resembled rebuilding effort after super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in northern Cebu in November 2013.

The Capitol will also send a dancing contingent composed of its employees. Abing said the theme is also in line with the papal visit.

The apostolic visit of Pope Francis this month aims to show sympathy to the victims of the devastating calamities like super typhoon Yolanda that ravaged Visayas areas in 2013.

Specifically, Pope Francis will visit Tacloban and offer Mass near Tacloban Airport. He will then visit the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte where he will have lunch with the poor and survivors of natural calamities at the residence of the Archbishop of Palo. Cebu is not included in the Pope’s itinerary.

 Meanwhile, dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center will present to the media a preview of their dance for Pope Francis today.

In a TV 5 report yesterday, Vince Rosales, the choreographer, said the dance presentation will be uploaded on Youtube with a call and hope that the pontiff would still drop by the province. (FREEMAN)