“Liveliest, grandest”

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia called yesterday’s Sinulog celebration the "liveliest, grandest, and most different" in the festival's history, despite breakdown in crowd control along the parade route that led to three contingents backing out from the street dancing competition.

The event, which the police and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) said drew an estimated 4 million people, marked the return of the grand festivities to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) after two years at the South Road Properties (SRP).

However, the lack of crowd management led to at least three contingents—the Kalunasan Dance Cultural Group, Banauan Dance Troupe of Barangay Guadalupe, and Barangay Basak Pardo—discontinuing their participation in the street dancing.

“The Kalunasan Cultural Dance Troupe from Brgy. Kalunasan has made the difficult decision not to continue in street dancing competition for the Sinulog Grand Parade. After careful consideration, we have determined that the current lack of crowd control measures poses a significant safety risk to our performers. We believe that proceeding with the competition under these conditions could lead to a stampede, putting the lives of our dancers and the public in jeopardy,” read part of the statement of Kalunasan.

Kurt Cabajar, spokesperson of Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe, said they opted not to perform in the remaining judging stations for street dancing after their ritual showdown performance at the CCSC because of crowd control problem.'“Wala maka-perform ang BCG sa nahibilin nga judging stations pagkahuman og perform niini sa Cebu City Sports Center. Naungot ang grupo sa P. Del Rosario, atubangang bahin sa City Central. Tulo ka oras kini nga natanggong sa maong area, wala’y abante -abante (sa wala hibaw-i nga rason). Giagi-agian lang kini sa mga nangagi nga tawo , ug walay nag bantay (crowd control )niadtong higayona. Hangtod nga nangalipong ang mga dancers gumikan sa bagang dout sa katawhan nga nag-agi agi sa ilang area,” Cabajar said in a statement.

“We sincerely apologize for the change of plans regarding the Sinulog Street Dancing presentation for Barrio Basak Pardo; Instead, we will be performing until 6PM, as the organizer, I must prioritize the safety and well-being of our dancing contingent, all of whom are minors,” Barangay Captain Dave Tumulak also announced on Facebook.

Despite the crowd control problems, Mayor Garcia assessed that the plans for the event were executed as expected, highlighting that the enthusiasm of both spectators and contingents reflected the success of the event.

"You can already say that now it is very different, the grandest, the liveliest Sinulog in the history of Cebu," Garcia said. While some spectators complained about delays in the parade, Garcia attributed the congestion to the high turnout and called it "a good problem."

"Para nako, that’s a good problem, nga imong problema dagsa sa tawo kaysa walay tawo," he said.

 "Of course, there will always be delays, there will always be snags, there will always be obstacles, but of course, it is not a serious matter," he added.

The delays, according to Garcia, extended the expected end time from 8 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m., with 45 dancing contingents and 56 floats. He thanked the public for their cooperation and noted the "immense" embrace of the people for this year’s Sinulog.

By 3 p.m., the gates of the CCSC were closed due to the grandstand nearing full capacity. The Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI) made the announcement via Facebook, clarifying that the closure applied only to those without tickets. Garcia confirmed this, emphasizing that it did not affect ticket holders.

Around 1 p.m., Dr. Daisy Villa, head of the Cebu City Health Department, reported that at least 20 people, mostly dancers, had been treated for heat exhaustion. Villa said these were minor incidents and that the health response was swift.

 "Daghang nakuyapan bitaw," she said. "These were just minor incidents."

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) estimated a crowd of 4 million, including participants of various Sinulog-related activities such as parties, events inside malls, and the grand ritual showdown at CCSC.

This year's Sinulog 2025 Grand Celebration featured 42 competing dance contingents and began at around 9 a.m., following the original carousel-type route.

Spectators, contigents favor CCSC as venue

Previously, the Sinulog's venue had been the subject of public debate, with opinions divided between the feasibility of holding it at SRP versus returning to CCSC. With its return to the original venue, many spectators expressed enthusiasm about the experience.

Joshua Tantarde, who traveled from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, and comes from a family of Sinulog enthusiasts, felt it was only fitting to return to CCSC.

"So basically, it is nice to keep the performances here in Abellana because it is the heart of Cebu," said Tantarde.

 He added that if the Sinulog were held at SRP again in the future, he would likely not attend, citing the lack of seating and shelter at the SRP.

 "Here, the chairs are provided, and there’s even a roof that can shelter the audience," he explained.

Rosalyn Rufin of Yate, Liloan, attended the Sinulog Grand Parade for the first time inside the CCSC. She found the venue to be "smooth" and more comfortable for enjoying the performances. "It was my first time inside the venue, and I found it smooth," Rufin said.

On the side of the contingents, Daniel Montero, Dance Master of the Kalunasan Dance Cultural Group, acknowledged that mobilizing props inside CCSC posed challenges.

 Montero, who had also participated in the SRP-based Sinulog, said the traffic there had been more difficult to navigate.

"Comfortable ko nga diri ra nga venue kay nindot ra ang flow...ang sa dancers, okay rasad kay dako ra ang lugar kay makasayaw silag ta

Personalities

High-profile personalities also made their presence felt throughout the day. Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, representing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., attended the grand showdown at the CCSC with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava.

 Earlier in the day, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia hosted a fiesta lunch at the Capitol for various dignitaries, including Lagdameo, Calatrava, Senator JV Ejercito, Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, Deputy House Speaker Camille Villar, former senator Kiko Pangilinan, his wife Sharon Cuneta, and several Cebu mayors.

At the CCSC, Villar, Pangilinan, Senator Bong Go, Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Bam Aquino, retired Colonel Ariel Querubin, former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, and 1Pacman Party-list nominee Milka Romero have expressed their admiration for the Cebuanos' passionate celebration of the Fiesta Señor.

Governor Garcia expressed her support for the return of the Sinulog to CCSC, saying, “We are here to support Cebu City for bringing back the Sinulog to the people, a celebration of who we are, what we are, and a celebration of our faith.”

Mayor Garcia echoed similar sentiments, saying, "Fiesta gyud ang feeling, very festive gyud. Mao na ni ang gipaabot sa katawhan. Ang venue dako kaayo ang deperensiya," referring to the difference between this year’s celebration and the one held at SRP in previous years.(CEBU NEWS)