Contingents thank Sto. Niño for surviving typhoons

CEBU, Philippines - Six out of the 15 contingents competing in this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade has one thing in common - their motivation to show their gratitude to the Señor Sto. Niño for having survived typhoons that brought havoc to their hometowns.

The six contingents from the Cebu province and out-of-town contingents were affected by typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and typhoons Ruby and Seniang last year.

The damage caused by these typhoons made it difficult for the contingents from Panglao, Bohol; Alang-Alang, Leyte; Calbayog, Leyte, Abuyog, Leyte;  Daanbantayn, Cebu, and Bogo City, Cebu to join the dance competitions.

But the groups proved that with determination, anything is possible.

In fact, Judy Navarete of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. said that there is not that much change in the number of the contingents this year compared to the previous year, which only proves that the calamities did not stop some towns from participating.

“Actually, kani sila (typhoon-hit contingents) wala pa ni sila kabangon jud fully but they made it possible kay nahimo na man ni nila nga panaad sa Señor Sto. Niño,” she said.

The winner of the Sinulog Free Interpretation Category for two consecutive years, Tribu Lingganay of Alang-Alang, Leyte, will compete again after it failed to join last year due to typhoon Yolanda.

Mayor Loreto Yu of Alang-Alang, Leyte admits that their town hasn’t fully recovered yet and joining this year took a lot of effort to raise enough funds for their props, which were mostly destroyed during the typhoon.

“Totally, back to zero jud mi kay nangaguba man jud tanan namo mga costumes and props adtong Yolanda,” he said.

Yu also said that the main reason they joined the Sinulog is to give thanks to the Señor Sto. Niño for the town’s zero casualty during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. It is also one way of promoting psychosocial activities to the residents of Alang-Alang, said Yu.

“Naa tay daghan programs to recover the city. However, it should not only limit to building back the infrastructures. We should also do activities that will promote the tourism of our city and the psychosocial activities for the people,” he said.

Yu disclosed that they also asked the help from the provincial government to raise funds, and made solicitations from different private sectors.

The contingent from Maya, Daanbantayan also did the same to raise funds.

“Naninguha jud mi na makaapil kay bisan devastated amo lugar sa bagyo nagpasalamat ra gihapon mi kay walay casualties, and in fact daghan donors ang mitabang sa amo lugar,” said Elson Ibanez, principal of Maya Elementary School.

Both contingents are hopeful to win in their respective categories, but what matters most for them is the opportunity to give thanks to the Holy Child.

“Purely halad ra ni ang ato but if makadaug, it would serve as our consolation then.” Ibanez said. —Glenda B. Tapang, USJR Masscomm intern/ATO (FREEMAN)