Showcase of festivals

Last Sunday’s “Pasigarbo sa Sugbo” was one of a kind. After two years, we are finally able to go out and see people dance in the streets. The familiar smell of tin foil, Styrofoam, and paint filled major thoroughfares as they grooved to the different beats. It was a sight to see.

Excited as I was, I dodged people to move away just to get a better angle of the dancing contingents. They were as graceful as ever, excited to smile in front of the cameras and cheer their town’s contingent. Those watching by the sidelines kept on ooh-ing and aah-ing at the performances that went by. No doubt, I also missed that too.

Two years after the pandemic, we are already in a zone where inoculation has given us temporary immunity against the virus. After some time we were able to overcome the virus which has mutated into different forms and strains. We attribute this to the existing programs of the government on vaccination. That’s why I feel bad for those in the health department because their numbers are still low. They are grappling to boost the statistics. For them, the virus is nonexistent and I need to continue my daily grind.

The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is not totally a super-spreader event. Although nobody really said that, it’s quite obvious that the swarm of people could lead to possible infection. We in the Philippines should be thankful the COVID-19 situation isn’t as bad as it used to be.

Without downplaying COVID-19, we can say that the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo fulfilled its role in bringing more tourists, guests, and family members to see what it means to be part of Cebu. At that time when people danced, many foreigners around the vicinity couldn’t help but be in awe at what they saw. We are simply good at what we do.

To quote Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, “When Cebu leads everyone follows.” She meant that we are now the frontrunners in terms of recovering the tourism industry lost during the pandemic. As long as all health protocols are followed, then we can continue on with our normal economic activities. This means we have full potential with it comes to tourism, and that the event last Sunday was just a prequel.

I only hope there are no issues with tourists. What we saw last Sunday is a manifestation of our great skills in performance, arts, and the like. We are world-class and are able to act like those with class.

Next year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo might be bigger and better. More guests might just join it as a mid-year event between Sinulog Festivals. We are great individuals and the festivals of festivals proved that we are more than ordinary individuals but those with special talent.