Grand parade to pause for Sandiego dance during Pope’s mass in Manila

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has ordered that all performances during the Sinulog grand parade this Sunday should stop as soon as the Sandiego Dance Company starts its presentation during Pope Francis’ concluding Mass at the Rizal Park in Manila.

The organizers will set up LED screens at the Cebu City Sports Center so those at the Sinulog grandstand will witness the performance as well.

“Though we cannot be cutting off the Sinulog…(during) the whole duration of the Mass, we can probably put on hold the Sinulog performance (shown) on TV,”  he said.

Right after Sandiego would have concluded its performance, the Sinulog shown in the TV screens will resume.

“If we follow the Mass, taas na kaayo na siya nga lull (of the Sinulog grand parade), kay mo-lull na gud ta on 12 (noon) and resume on 1 (p.m.), depending on the weather,” Rama said.

He encouraged establishments to set up their own LED screens or projectors for the live coverage of Pope Francis’ Mass on Saturday and Sunday.

This would give everyone the opportunity to witness the performance of the Sandiego dancers in Manila. Rama also said that for those who would not be joining the procession today, they can instead witness the Mass in Palo, Leyte.

No part of the Mass of the Pope on Sunday will be aired at the Sinulog grandstand since there will be a Mass in Cebu during that day as well, Rama clarified.

He also said that it would not be possible to air the mass of Pope on Saturday at Palo, Leyte since it would happen during the solemn procession for Senior Santo Niño.

“Di sad mahimo kay procession man ni. Lisod sad kaayo kung imo ihunong ang procession. Ang ending ana is you will be competing the Sto. Niño with the Pope,” Rama said, adding that when the Sandiego Dance Company starts performing, all Sinulog contingents must stop. —  Glenda B. Tapang, Usj-R MassComm Intern/RHM