Cebu City then and now is grand finale theme

CEBU, Philippines — This year’s Sinulog grand finale will be a dance drama musical dubbed as “Kita sa Sugbo” depicting how Cebu started and how it is today, a way of reminding the people of how the highly urbanized area evolved from Spanish colonization.

“This year, we have this concept that is very Cebuano. We start with a lola (grandmother) with young kids.  She opens a book and tells a story of what was Cebu before, the old times of Cebu,” Victor Cuenco, choreographer told The FREEMAN.

He said after the dramatization, the performers will be showing how the City of Cebu looks like at present.

To effectively present the Cebu City now, they will be exhibiting the three major projects of the city government. These are the Cebu-Bus Rapid Transit, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and the Call Center City.

Cuenco said they came up with the idea after Sinulog Executive Committee chairman Councilor David Tumulak suggested to them to have a concept that showcases the ongoing projects of the city.

Cuenco said the last part of the grand finale performance would be a thanksgiving to Señor Santo Niño for making the city a progressive place.

Around 260 performers are tapped for the grand finale which will run for about 25 minutes.

Cuenco said the singers will be performing live Cebu’s Pop Music.A fireworks display will cap the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Cuenco said the grand finale is estimated to cost more than P 300, 000.

Meanwhile, minor changes will be implemented for the smooth flow of the 38th Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.

Tumulak, also the chairman of Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive committee, said the mass at the sports complex will be moved from the original schedule of 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Tumulak, however, stressed that there is no threat to security during the Sinulog celebration as of press time.

He revealed the National Telecommunications Commission is ready to implement the cellular phone signal shutdown if needed and if asked by the police.

There are only 30 contingents who will perform on Sunday.

Tumulak said there are two barangays that backed out due to budget constraints such as Lahug Cultural Dance Troupe and Barangay Cogon Pardo –Barangay mayor’s Office.

He said the organizer is hoping to start the grand parade at 9:30 a.m. and to finish at 4:30 p.m.

There are 45 entries for the float category, 25 entries for higante categories, and eight entries for puppeteers category.

He also reminded the public that barangay environmental officers will be going around to apprehend those who will be caught throwing their garbage anywhere.

Ten local government units in Cebu province will send their emergency responders to assist during the Sinulog.

Starting yesterday, the local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) responders of Liloan were deployed at the Devotee City.

The other teams will come for the procession and grand parade while there will be teams on standby in case there are devotees who will need medical attention. - Lorraine MitziAmbrad and Ashlee Love Marzon (FREEMAN)