Out-of-town contingents start arriving for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Out-of-town contingents for this year’s Sinulog have started arriving in Cebu, a bit earlier than usual.

The abnormal weather pattern convinced them to come early to make sure they can perform in the Grand Parade this Sunday.

Contingents from Zamboanga – Sibugay, Placer, Masbate and Tangub City, Misamis Occidental are now billeted at the different Cebu City schools.

Zamboanga-Sibugay which brought 100 dancers and 170 props men including instrumentalists are currently staying at the Guadalupe Elementary School.

Their advance party arrived Monday last week while the performers arrived just Sunday night.

Edilee S. Daarol, Provincial Tourism Officer of Zamboanga Sibugay said their department heads and officials will arrive before January 20 and if all their barangay officials will heed their invitation, their entourage might reach 500.

This is Zamboanga Sibugay’s second time to participate. They were here first time last year when they featured Zamboanga Sibugay’s rich marine resources.

This year, Daarol said they want to showcase the province as the Rubber Capital of the country.

One of the largest plantations of rubber in the country is in Sibugay.

As a teaser, she said, the belt of the dancers’ costumes is each made of rubber seeds harvested by the students themselves. Each belt cost them about three kilos of seeds, which are quite expensive.

Zamboanga Sibugay’s production, led by choreographer Norbel Julio and overall designer Mercury Gumera, has cost them around P4 million including projected expenses for their stay here until the grand parade.

The province is also fielding this year a Festival Queen. The Sinulog Festival Queen 2013 judgment night will be on January 18.

Zamboanga Sibugay joined the Sinulog Festival to promote the province not only in Mindanao but to the rest of the country.

Daarol said that through Sinulog, they wish to thank the Sto. Niño for all the natural resources that they have kept protected. Zamboanga Sibugay promotes, among others, eco-tourism which inspires their concept this year.

In Cebu City Central School where Placer, Masbate is billeted, performers and dancers did not waste time and started practicing to familiarize with the stage.

Placer, Masbate, like last year, is sending two contingents, one for the Sinulog-Based category and one for the Free Interpretation Category.

FI category performers arrived first last Sunday while SB category performers arrived last night. The FI contingent alone is comprised of 100 dancers and over 200 props men. They placed second last year from being champion the other year.

Choreographer Frenil Palang said all segments of their presentation has a surprise for the audience.

Tangub City contingent is now staying at the Cebu City Sports Center quarters. Last year, they lost the crown in the Sinulog-Based category to first timer Placer.

Tangub City vowed to come back with a vengeance this year.

Other out-of-town contingents from Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and

Leyte are arriving in the next days.

Last year’s Grand Champions were all from outside Cebu. —MIT (FREEMAN)