Grand parade to focus on Sinulog’s religiosity

CEBU, Philippines - As the Sinulog Grand Parade marks its 35th anniversary this year, it aims to highlight more the celebration’s religious significance than its entertainment value.

This is what Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros said they wanted emphasized, as they adopt the theme “Sto. Nino: Hope of the People.”

“This is not just a cultural and historical event,” he said, “this is a religious happening.”

He said emphasizing the Sinulog’s religious importance is also in line with the 450th year of the finding of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu and the 50th anniversary of the then San Agustin Church as Basilica Minore.

The theme also shows that the Sinulog is a celebration of the Cebuanos’ faith, as it has been tested and strengthened through the recent calamities that struck the region.

“Sa mga nangagi nga linog ug bagyo, mas nalig-on atong pagtuo sa Senyor.” Ballesteros said.

The theme is also reflected in the design of the Sinulog stage right at the center of the Cebu City Sports Center, which looks like s scale model of the façade of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

It is on this stage where contingents from the different elementary and secondary schools of Cebu City and the province would compete for opportunity to join the Sinulog Grand Parade next Sunday.

Today’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, participated by schools from Cebu province, kicks off at 2 p.m.  It is the turn of Cebu City schools tomorrow during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan.

Meanwhile, considering that bad weather might affect the various activities for this year’s festivity, Ballesteros said he still expect that more tickets would be sold. For this year, SFI prepared 10,000 tickets.

Ballesteros also said the grandstand tickets are sold at the same prices last year. The VIP tickets, which covers the blue seats at the grandstand, is at P2,500 each; yellow seat, P1,500; pink and green seats, which are situated at both ends of the grandstand, P1,000.

Speaking from experience, he said tickets in previous grand parades all got sold out.

“Magmasaligon ta nga daghan gihapon manan-aw. Sa 35 nato katuig, rain or shine, magpadayon gihapon,” said Ballesteros

He said, though, that they sold fewer tickets last year, since the public was still cautious because of the continuing aftershocks of the October 17, 2013 earthquake.

“Bag-o pa man gud to ang linog, unya kuyawan pa siguro ang mga tawo sa mga aftershocks.” Ballesteros said.

With the recent calamities, Ballesteros anticipates that locals and tourists alike would participate in the coming Sinulog events such as the grand parade so as to show gratitude to the Holy Child for the safety and protection He provides.

“Bisan madag-umon ang panahon karon, dili nato ma-feel nga fewer ang tawo nga mo-participate; mas expected nga daghan ang tawo tungod sa mga nangagi nga kalamidad, mas mapasalamaton ang mga tawo nga nagmalig-on gihapon ta.” he said.  — May B. Miasco/RHM (FREEMAN)