Prizes for Sinulog still to be determined

CEBU, Philippines — The prizes for the Sinulog 2024 grand ritual showdown at the South Road Properties (SRP) on Sunday are yet to be determined, said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

In a news forum Tuesday, Rama told the media that the executive committee of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) will still have to meet to determine if the prizes will remain, will increase or will be decreased.

Rama emphasized that the focus should be on performances rather than on the prizes that came upon.

"If the prizes will be on the sideline, it is only a consequence, but if it is incumbent, it will always be subject for the board approval plus the execom recommendation," said Rama.

He added, regardless of his personal stand on the prizes, he only corresponds to "one vote" and the decision will still rely on the decisions of the majority of the board of trustees.

"Nothing is permanent, we will never know. I will have an execom meeting and will never know…will the prizes stay, the prizes will decrease, or will it increase?" said Rama.

Contingents

Meanwhile, there are now 20 contingents for the grand ritual showdown and the grand parade, including those who will perform as guest performers.

Initially, the 12 competing contingents for the grand ritual showdown from Cebu City are Barangays Banilad, Binaliw, Inayawan, Guadalupe, Mabolo, Suba, Labangon, San Roque, Sapangdaku, San Nicolas Proper, T.Padilla, and Tribu Divinohanon.

The out-of-town contingents are from Canlaon City, Negros Oriental and San Jose, Dinagat Islands while the guest contingents are the Republic of Korea and Bacolod’s Masskara Festival.

Further, those who will also perform in the grand parade will be from the private sectors namely - Nagkahiusang Pamilyang Cebu Gen, Barangay Bulacao powered by Alpha Kappa Rho, Lumad Basakanon of Barangay San Nicolas, and the Cebu City Government.

Rama disclosed that as of this writing, the Cebu City government has not received any communication yet from the contingents of Cebu Province to signify their participation in the grand ritual showdown.

He, however, clarified that they have been invited to perform.

"As of now, I have not read any response, but the invitation still stands in the name of Señor Santo Niño, and for unity, I call it peace, prosperity and progress, let's look forward," said Rama.

The mayor called the public to not only focus on the grand parade but also anticipate the other activities especially the religious processions.

For the first time in Sinulog history, all contingents of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will be performing during the grand ritual unlike its usual top five qualified performers. — (FREEMAN)