SFI: Stricter rules for photo contest

CEBU, Philippines — The Sinulog Foundation Incorporated has announced that starting next year strict guidelines for the Sinulog Photo Contest will be implemented.

SFI executive director Jojo Labella said during the awarding ceremony of this year’s photo contest winners that they will no longer allow photographers to go near dancing contingents so as not to hamper performances during the street dancing.

During the last Sinulog, Labella said he had to ward off some photographers on the street dancing route.

“Usahay gud magpundo na ni sila, magkuan sa atubangan, ang mga performers pud ganahan na man sad madugay ngadto sa ilang dance parade. Dili na man hinuon progressive dancing,” said Labella.

Cebu City’s Public Information Office reported that during the last Sinulog, photographers were briefed on the areas where they can take a shot, but some deliberately ignored it.

“Istriktohon na ni. At first, point deduction para nila, pila ra man nang point deduction or whatever. Pero karon, amo ni istriktohon i-revisit nato ang mga guidelines nga magmatngon sad sila,” Labella stressed.

In worst case scenario, Labella is looking at disqualifying photographers who do not follow the guidelines.

“Imagine kanang street dancing, di sila mupatuo, ato nalang sila i-disqualify,” Labella added.

Labella also said that he would tell the marshals and the police to cordon off photographers in the next Sinulog. Marshals as well as communicators will also be undergoing an orientation concerning the photo contest guidelines for them to implement it fully well.

However, some participants are hoping that the SFI will not only think about implementing stricter guidelines but also ensure that prizes in the photo contest as well as in the video documentary and short film festival will be fast-tracked.

The Freeman learned that during the awarding ceremony, winners only got the trophies and certificates but not the cash prizes yet. Winners were left in quandary when to receive their cash prizes as there were no information about it from the organizers.

Earlier, several sources also disclosed that job orders from last year’s edition as well as the production team have not yet been paid of their honoraria. Aside from that, some festival queens in this year’s Sinulog, according to one of the handlers, have also not received their subsidies yet.

Labella, however, said that these were already being processed. (CEBU NEWS)