SFI to start registration of Sinulog contingents

CEBU, Philippines — The Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) will start accepting registration of contingents for the Sinulog 2025 grand parade and showdown on weekend.

Registration for the dancing contingents will officially begin on Sunday, December 1, which will run until the next Sunday, December 8, to expedite the approval for subsidies and assistance.

Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella, however, said that at least 35 groups have already expressed their intention ahead to join the Sinulog grand celebration next year.

Labella said they are targeting a limit of 35 contingents, but added that the initial plans laid out by the Executive Committee, led by Engineer Ricky Dakay and Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, include 10 contingents from the city and 10 from the province of Cebu.

“But we can have the final list gyud og mga up to 30, until December,” said Labella.

For this year, Labella said they have received participation feelers from out-of-town contingents. From Luzon, they have received interest from groups in Antipolo, Tabaco (Albay), and Sorsogon. Siargao, Del Carmen, and Sarangani from Mindanao have also expressed their intent to join.

The three winners of the Pintados competition in Tacloban City, Leyte in the Visayas will also participate, as well as contingents from Abuyog and Javier.

In Cebu City, about 14 groups have signified their intent to join. For the province, Labella noted that Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has been cooperative, which reflects the province’s desire to participate in the grand ritual showdown.

Labella, however, emphasized that despite these expressions of interest, the number of contingents will be regulated due to considerations of route, logistics, and security for the participants.  As announced, the registration fees for the puppeteer and higante competitions will be waived.

Labella also mentioned that the Sinulog festivities will also include the film and photo competitions, as well as the usual Sinulog sa Lalawigan and Dakbayan competitions, with the winners qualifying for the grand ritual showdown.

Currently, Labella said they are working to establish a brass band competition, which, if approved, will be held for the first time. According to Labella, this competition aims to honor and revive the drum and bugle corps, whose community is still visible but gradually fading away.

“It is fading away but in fact pag (release) sa announcement sa Public Information Office, duna nasay nang signify from Calabarzon and Dumaguete, but I don’t know how feasible," said Labella.

Labella shared that they had initially planned to introduce the brass competition last year, but it was not feasible due to time constraints. He acknowledged that they are working hard to gather at least 10 participants.

For this year, the Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown will return to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) after being held for two years at the South Road Properties (SRP).  With this return, Labella said the previous parade routes will be utilized passing through Mango Avenue, Imus, M.J. Cuenco, and Osmeña Boulevard leading directly to the CCSC.

As the SFI chairman, Labella admitted that both venues, SRP and CCSC, have their own advantages. Over the past two years, the holding of the Sinulog Grand Celebration at SRP sparked controversies among local leaders and polarized public opinion, with many questioning the feasibility of both venues.

Labella acknowledged that most constituents prefer CCSC as the venue due to its accessibility, compared to SRP. However, he added that the SRP grounds can still be used as a concert venue during the Sinulog.

"Although daghan man sad tag gi avoid na congestion, but it’s a fiesta diba, but more or less, the traditional fiesta atmosphere will naa nasad in Sinulog Festival,” said Labella.

Previously, the CCSC’s track oval was a concern for the city government when considering it as a venue, as it was revealed that the surface had been compromised during the mobilization of materials for the makeshift stage at previous cultural events.

Labella said they have prepared for this issue by covering the track oval with plywood to protect its surface. He added that they will also be cautious when using the track oval.

It was on November 13 when the track oval was closed to the public for repairs, which are expected to last for at least three weeks. The repairs are being handled by the contractor following the damage to its surface. Currently, Labella said the repairs are still ongoing.

As of yesterday, no more traces of damage on the track oval’s surface were visible. — /FPL(FREEMAN)