Raymond: Sinulog back at CCSC next year

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Garcia has announced that the Sinulog Festival will return to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), but Mayor Mike Rama, who is still under preventive suspension, expressed doubts about this plan.

It was Rama who moved the annual festivity to the South Road Properties (SRP).

Garcia made the announcement during the opening of the Cebu Expo at SM Seaside City Cebu early yesterday afternoon.

He came a bit late for the opening program, explaining that he had just come from an inspection of the CCSC, where the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 will be held this Sunday, August 25.

Garcia said he is excited to witness the Pasigarbo, amazed at how each Cebu cities and municipalities prepared for it.

But more the competition of festivals itself, he said it would be a learning experience for the City of Cebu.

“It would also be a learning experience for the City of Cebu because we will also be hosting and holding the Sinulog very soon in January in the Cebu City Sports Complex again,” he said.

The announcement gained mixed reactions from netizens when posted by The Freeman, as there were those who were happy while others were in doubt about it pushing through, including Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, whose preventive suspension ends in the first week of November this year.

“What else is new?” Rama said when asked for his comment on Garcia’s announcement.

“What next announcement he would like? We will just have to wait for further announcements….  Ato lang ng tingbon tanan niyang announcement,” he added.

Rama had long said the Sinulog and even the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo should no longer be done at the CCSC for safety and security reasons, aside from showcasing the potential of the SRP to investors through the said events.

He had argued that the number of people coming to Cebu City to witness the Sinulog could no longer be accommodated at the CCSC and even the area where the street dancing is done is allegedly becoming risky as well.

He had cited safety as a main concern, especially after the stampede in Seoul, Korea during Halloween festivities in 2022 that saw at least 153 dead.

That is why for two straight years now, the Sinulog is done at the SRP, which resulted to contingents from Cebu towns and cities shunning participation, citing instances of risk caused to their dancers.

Out-of-town contingents, though, continue to join the event, which is held in honor of the Sto. Nin?o. — /RHM (FREEMAN)