As he sticks with SRP venue for Sinulog: Rama to take blame

CEBU, Philippines —  While Cebu City government’s decision to push through with the Sinulog 2023 show at the South Road Properties has gained criticisms from left and right, Mayor Michael Rama remains unmoved.

Three days to the ritual show, Rama said yesterday he will take responsibility for whatever will be the outcome of Sunday’s staging of the Sinulog at the SRP.

“Let’s just do our job. Hardwork, hardwork. Hope for the best, expect the worse. A, B, C, D and E,” said Rama. “After the whole Sinulog will be over, I take responsibility and I will answer all.”

The city government’s insistence on SRP as venue has drawn a lot of bashings lately. Much of the criticisms have been centered on the fact that the SRP is still ill-prepared, with mud and puddles still visible there yesterday.

During the walk-through of the venue yesterday, The FREEMAN saw the area near the stage covered in mud. Officials explained that this was because the venue was not yet 100 percent complete.

The asphalted road leading to the venue was already paved and clean, though.

But mud was not the only problem.

Some contingents who did their blockings at the SRP yesterday had to contend with the intermittent rains, considering that the area does not have a shed.

The closest structures they could go to avoid the rain or sun are the University of the Philippines, the NOAH complex, and the Tent City, that is why organizers strongly advised participants and revelers to bring umbrellas with them.

Still at the blockings yesterday, some dancers who were soaked in rain took refuge under their props. Some props were also dirtied by mud.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia maintained it is not the right time to hold the Sinulog at the SRP considering how the preparations are going, though she will continue her tradition of offering dance to the Sr. Sto. Niño.

Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas took to Facebook last night to air his “concerns and disappointments,” especially with what the Talisaynon contingent “had to endure” yesterday during the blockings.

Gullas itemized:

“1. Nakasalalay diri ang health and safety sa atoang mga contingents, there were 500 Talisaynons who were at risk because of the venue nga delikado. Blocking pa ni, dili pa ang actual competition.

“2. Supposedly the blockings will be done 3 a.m. – 6 a.m., 2 a.m. pa lang daan naa na didto atong contingents. Ready to practice.

“3. Unfortunately, walay suga or kuryenti sa area worst walay coordinator para maguide atoang mga contingents.

“4. Since wala man kurente, nangita pag crudo atoang mga staff para lang makakuryenti didto.

“5. Naguba ang atoang props because ang agianan padung sa stage lubak-lubakon siya nga naguba na hinoon ang atoang props, pero infairness nindot ang stage. Ang agianan padung sa stage maoy maka guba sa props.

“6. Walay insaktong kapasilongan atoang mga contingents kay usa ra ka tent ang naa didto. Normal maguwan kung mag blocking Kay rain or shine man na. Karon, isa ra ang tent para sa mga contingents, pero 500 mi kabuok.

“7. Walay area para mabutangan og props.

“8. Walay holding area para sa mga contingents.”

‘Don’t focus on mud’

But Rama said there is a whole lot more to the issue than just focusing on the mud at SRP.

He said he is inviting everyone to go out and see the SRP for themselves, and its potential to be tourism, sports, and economic hub and more.

Rama even showed organizers an alternative spot at the SRP that can be used for the contest proper and not on the stage -- the concrete road outside the stage fronting the UP Professional School.

He said it is big enough because it was designed to accommodate planes for emergency landing. It is 1.6 kilometers long, even longer than the reported shortest airstrip in the world at 1.3 kilometers in length.

Rama said there is still a lot of work to be done based on his initial assessment but work “continues.”

The bleachers on the side are mostly in place already. The mayor and the organizers tried them out, including those in the carousel area or side of the road for the spectators in street dancing.

“Nakita na nato, na if we are talking the road, the bleachers are already present and, definitely, mao man nay pinakaimportante, adunay kabutangan sa mga tawo,” Rama said.

Aside from clearing the muddy area near the stage, Rama has also ordered the clearing of the sidewalk along Il Corso lifestyle mall, the uneven manhole covers and the bushes around the area.

Councilor Jerry Guardo said they hope to finish the asphalting at the stage and amphitheater side today.

Rama will check the venue again after the fluvial parade on Saturday.

“It’s not over until it’s over, it’s over… Daghan pag areglahunon. Di ko gusto naay mangaigo, mabulasot. Suga, alegrahon. Dili ra man ni siya didto (stage). Sinulog is everything. Daghan kag huna-hunaon -- ang mga bata, seniors, contingents. But unta tabang ta og ampo,” he said.

Rama trusts Dakay

With just two days left before the ritual showdown, Rama said he fully trusts Sinulog Foundation president Engr. Ricky Dakay and Dakay Construction to be able to deliver the goods just in time for the Sinulog.

“Knowing Ricky Dakay, an achiever, and their construction… Advance ang utok ni Ricky. Iya na nang gitan-aw tanan… Iya na pud nang gitan-aw nga kung magtinapol ang uban, siyay mo-come in,” Rama said.

The chairman of the Executive Committee, Councilor Philip Zafra, also said in a separate interview that he trusts that Dakay can deliver given his “proven track record.” – JMD (FREEMAN)