Mixed reactions on Sinulog street parties ban

CEBU, Philippines - The decision to ban street parties along the Sinulog carousel route has drawn mix reactions, with Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Oscar Florencio saying proper regulation must be strengthened instead of an outright ban.

He said stricter regulation must be implemented and observed rather than disallowing street parties.

“Dili lang i-ban but i-regulate because it will add to the whole celebration/festivity. Naa pud na siyay kaayohan,” he said.

But for Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma activities not contributing to the solemnity of the Sinulog must be discouraged.

Street parties, he said, do not give a good impression.

Florencio, clarified that parties must remain decent and should not disrupt the solemnity of the celebration.

“Kun mag-hubog hubog ka that may result to fight, chaos or disorder dili na na maayo. That is too much and it will disrupt and affect the solemnity of the event. Dili lang ta magpakaulaw,” he said.

“Let us try not to ruin the wholesomeness of the event by misbehaving and getting drunk,” he added.

Lorie Gurrea, 59, from Barangay Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City agreed to the ban, saying it helps the possibility of people getting harmed.

She said the Sinulog is for the Senior Santo Niño and not for the entertainment of people.

Venerando Odrigue, 51, was of the same opinion, saying what others do in these street parties could be a source of shame for us in the eyes of visitors.

“Daghang bisita diri Cebu unya makita nila nga ingon ana ra diay ang style sa atong pag-honor sa piyesta ni Santo Niño,” he said.

Odrigue said during younger days, the focus is more on the processions and novena masses for the Holy Child and not on entertaining themselves.

“Naa may inom-inom sa una pero gamay ra gyud. Wala pud nang mga street parties,” he said

Teenager Sharmain Corbo, 18, said she agrees to the banning of street parties as it is a sign of respect for the Sto. Niño.

She said having a street party is okay but people tend to get drunk and lose respect towards the Holy Child.

Glecerea Candilada, 60, however, said she did not agree with the ban.

“Ok ra man na para nako kay kining mga batan-on, kinahanglan man sad na sila og lingaw-lingaw,” she said.

A mother of eight, Candilada said she would give her children for them to entertain themselves as long as they would not forget that the occasion is for the Sto. Niño.

“Dapat di lang pud sila makalimot ni Santo Niño. Kay naa man sad mga batan-on nga bisan ingon-ana, naa pud sila pagtoo sa Ginoo,” said Candilada.

Friends Jenuel Peñeranda, 19, and Aj Caños, 17, both said street parties add liveliness to the Sinulog celebration.

They said they both have attended street parties, but it did not mean that they were not thinking about the purpose of the celebration, which is honoring the Sto. Niño.

“Before mi  moadto sa party, mohapit pa gyud mi diri sa Basilica ni Santo Niño,” Peñeranda said.

Organizers earlier announced that to maintain the sanctity of the occasion, no permit will be granted to establishments wanting to hold street parties on January 15 up to the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 17.

Because of the reported inappropriate behavior shown by some people in street parties in previous years, organizers demanded for stringent policies that should be established for this year’s Sinulog.

The Sinulog is one of the biggest celebrations in the Philippines, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors – including those from other countries.

They naturally party, where can dance, drink, eat, or do whatever they want until the sun rises.

This has also been the concern of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros, which is why roads where grand parade activities take place will be closed even after the parade ends.  — Kristine B. Quintas, Ma. Fatima R. Secuya and USJ-R Intern Reinhard Julis O. Buhia/RHM