While Osmeña is mayor: City government won’t spend for Miss Cebu pageant

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will not spend a dime for the Miss Cebu pageant in succeeding years - at least while Tomas Osmeña is still mayor.

It can be remembered that Osmeña has cancelled the pageant this year to chop down on the city's "unnecessary" expenses.

Yesterday, he said the city will not allocate money for the pageant again while he is at City Hall, but he will not stop the private sector from organizing it.

He said he wants to promote the Sinulog Festival Queen instead.

"I like the idea that we promote the (Sinulog) Festival Queen… For Miss Cebu, the private sector can do it. They can do Miss Cebu,they can do Miss City Hall, I don't care, but we're not going to spend any money on Miss Cebu," Osmeña told reporters.

The pageant, which has been one of the highlights of the Sinulog Festival, was supposed to be on its 33rd year this year.

Osmeña believes, however, that the pageant caters only the elite.

"Through all of these years, Miss Cebu becomes very elitist. It's not really for the people. It's only for the connected, if they are connected, if they are close with the mayor. And the city will spend a lot of money, for what?" he said.

As this developed, Osmeña said he will continue with the Sinulog sa Barangay and Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan next year.

"Para makasabot ang tanan, dili ko ganahan maapil ang skwelahan, directly or indirectly, in the Sinulog. Outside of that, there's no problem. The schools have been very abusive because they let the children practice during class hours, they force the parents to contribute. And I'm not in favor of that," Osmeña said, especially that schools need to raise money for the contest.

SFI then included the Sinulog sa Barangay in lieu of the Sinulog sa Dakbayan. This is now a contest among barangays in the city.

Osmeña said community-based groups that participate in the Sinulog sa Barangay must not practice at schools so as not to disturb classes. If they insist, he will disqualify them.

Sinulog Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said he supports the mayor's decision.

"Of course.Adjustment period pa ta karon sa Sinulog sa barangay pero tan-awa ang Lumad Basakanon, that's the best example nga it can be done. Dugay nagud na sila nangapil," he said.

Lumad Basakanon placed second in last Sunday's Sinulog sa Barangay last Sunday. The champion was the contingent from Barangay Labangon. (FREEMAN)