Contingents all set for today's Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — The Sinulog Festival is back at the Cebu City Sports Center with over 40 contingents from all over Cebu and other areas in the country set to showcase their wares in the mother of all festivals today.

Last year’s free interpretation winner, the Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon will not be able to defend its crown due to the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, but 11 other out-of-towners are all set to take the spotlight.

While Canlaon’s bet will be missing the battle, its runner-up, the Tribu Kamanting Performing Arts Guild Barug Dinagat Foundation of Dinagat Islands are back with more confidence for another sterling performance today.

Cebu City’s own bet, the Lumad Basakanon, which placed third in the free interpretation last year, is keeping its expectations low as there are many out-of-towners seeing actions this year.

The other out-of-town contingents include the City of Kidapawan Performing Arts Guild City of Kidapawan Province of Cotabato, the Antipolo Maytime Festival Bukluran Dance Troupe, Bais City Festival of Harvests Negros Oriental, James L. Chiongbian National Trade School Performing Arts Guild of Sarangani Province, Baile Filipina Dance Guild Inc. of Dipolog City, Kabilin Mindanaw Province of Davao Occidental, Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, Tabaco College – Albay, Bakhaw Performing Arts Guild nan Del Carmen, Siargao and the Dumaguete City Sandurot Festival.

Expectations are high on the Lumad Basakanon after reigning supreme in a national festival in Sorsogon last year, while also winning the Sinulog sa Dakbayan last week.

Barangay Basak San Nicolas Chief Norman Navarro, who is also leading their contingent, however, told The Freeman that they will be donning a new costume and will present a new concept today. He said the one they showcased during the Sinulog sa Dakbayan was only their winning piece in Sorsogon.

The Guadalupe’s Banauan Cultural group, who dominated the Sinulog-based category last year, said they are lifting it all up to the Lord since they are mainly joining the Sinulog as a “halad” to Sto.Nino.

Aside from that, the Banauanons also looked up to the other contestants with so much respect as they are equally preparing well for the event including the other Cebu City-based entries, namely, Barangay Kamagayan Landonian Tribe, Asian College of Technology – International Educational Foundation, Aktibong Binaliwhanon, Banay San Nicolasnon, Abellana National School, Lun-as Cultural Dance Troupe, Barrio Basak Pardo, Barangay Zapatera, Inayawan Talents Guild, Maampoong Baniladnon, Hugpong Day Asanon, Lambo Mabolo, Hugpong Mananayaw ng Bayan – University of the Philippines, Lumad Basakanon, Hugpong Masidlakon Home of Siomai Festival, Banay Labangon and Bag-Ong Tribu: Kasambagan.

The return of the Cebu Provincial contingents are also making the battle even harder.They include the multi-titled Carcar City squad along with the City of Talisay, Malipayong Alegrianhon, City of Mandaue, Tribu Masadyaon – Toledo City, Lapu-Lapu City, Tribu Malipayon-Consolacion, Pundok sa Nagkahiusang Liloanon, One Enchanting Camotes, Sinulog sa Carmen and Danao City.

Host Cebu City and the City of Naga’s Dagitab Festival will also be spicing up the event along with the MASSKARA Festival of Bacolod City.

Dagitab, the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2025 champion, will have Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia with them as she offers her 16th Sinulog Dance today.

Aside from the street and ritual showdown, revelers will also get to see numerous floats and higantes out on the streets today.

But while it’s going to be a whole day of festivities on the streets, everyone is also reminded that the City Government of Cebu is banning liquor and street parties during the duration of the Sinulog festivities, until 10 pm today.

Executive Order (EO) 29 signed by Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the ban or prohibition of entertainment includes concerts, shows, and performance gigs or activities that require the mounting of huge speakers at the route of the solemn procession (which was held yesterday) and at the grand parade.

Liquor ban is ordered within 300-meter radius of the Sinulog procession and Sinulog grand showdown from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Jan. 19, 2025 from noontime to 10 p.m.

Beverages in glass bottles, regardless of alcoholic or non-alcoholic content, are also banned.

Street parties are banned all over the city, but parties are allowed only inside private properties.

Siargao contingent

A first-timer contingent from the well-known Siargao Island is joining this year's Sinulog.

The Bakhaw Performing Arts Guild Nan Del Carmen, Siargao Island is ready to take the center stage today, as one of the competing contingents under the Free Interpretation category in this year's Sinulog grand parade.

Val Lozada, the contingent's artistic director, said the contingent's performance will showcase the town's renowned mangrove forest and how it protected the wildlife and the people during times of calamities like typhoons.

Del Carmen in Siargao Island is known to its mangrove forest spanning 8,620 hectares.

Lozada said the performance will offer a dance to the Holy Child who protected the people of Del Carmen in times of disasters, especially that the town also experienced bad weather, which had been one of their challenges as they practice for Sinulog.

“Sa sayaw mapakita ang mangroves as natural protection, ug ang mga tawo (panahon sa kalamidad), nag-ask sila sa divine protection from Sr. Sto Niño” Lozada told The Freeman.

The contingent started to prepare in November last year from the recruitment of performers and training them to actual formation and conceptualization of the storyline.

Just like any other group, the contingent also faced challenges during their preparation and made “the performers learned the hard way”.

But the hurdles did not stop their determination to be on top.

Lozada said, just like any other contingents, they aim to win this year's Sinulog, but more than just winning, they are offering a dance to show their devotion to the Holy Child.

Bakhaw Performing Arts Guild sa Nan Del Carmen is composed of 500 peformers, propsmen, instrumentalist including the people that assisted them from the local government unit (LGU).

The expenses for the contingent was shouldered by a private individual and the LGU. — (FREEMAN)