Sinulog 2015 challenging, successful

CEBU, Philippines - This year’s Sinulog was challenging – both in the religious and cultural celebrations – but was generally peaceful, city and church officials said.

“Of course, when you talk about the Sinulog, it was amazing, fantastic. As I am telling all, this was a very challenging Sinulog and with the Pope being around and the 35 years of Sinulog as a year of completeness,” Rama said.

“From the Walk with Jesus towards the procession and up to the Sinulog, I have described it as compounded event of miracles,” Rama said.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño agrees.

“Maayo jud siya. Susama ra ang selebrasyon sa mga nangagi, hapsay ug maayo ang dagan,” Mejares said.

“Bisan sa mga pahimangno nga posibleng adunay bagyo, nagpadayon gihapon ang mga tawo sa pagsalmot. Over all, I can say it was a successful celebration,” Mejares added.

He attributes the success to the close coordination among those organizing the different activities.

“We had a closer coordination with SFI (Sinulog Foundation Inc.) and the city government in coming up with the events. Nagkahi-usa mi karon,” he said.

“Labi na nga mao pud ang gisagop sa Sinulog Foundation ang tema nato karon… Nahatagan ug importansya ang relihiyoso nga selebrasyon sa karon nga kapistahan,” he added.

Rama said he is glad that peace was maintained during the Grand Parade on Sunday despite only less than 2,000 policemen secured the city. Some 400 cops from Cebu had to be stationed in Tacloban to augment the security preparations there for the visit of Pope Francis last Saturday.

The city police had suggested to deploy more policemen to the streets next year.

The mayor also observed that the celebration still drew many despite the millions that went to activities for Pope Francis.

On Sunday alone, despite the wet weather in Manila, six million attended the mass Pope Francis celebrated at Luneta Park.

“Wala man mabahin ang crowd. In fact, daghan gyapon kayo ang tao pag Sinulog” Rama said.

He said the city still anticipated an influx of revelers that is why it decided to close several streets.

“We anticipated – do not open B. Rodriguez… even P. del Rosario up to Jakosalem because these areas will definitely be filled with people,” Rama said, adding, that he personally

“There was one problem on how to deal with traffic. I even went to become a traffic enforcer. I was handling Escario” Rama shared.

He said there is also a need to be stricter in enforcing the policy against large tents on the sidewalks during the Grand Parade, as they can obstruct human traffic. 

Rama said the city government is now preparing for a more challenging Sinulog next year, which will precede the International Eucharistic Congress here in Cebu.

“We have already talked to the foundation on having to prepare a very challenging Sinulog and we might just add up and frame it and have it put together and have it implemented,” Rama said.

 “May the Sto Niño continue to bless the Philippines. May He sustain the Christians of the great nation in their vocation to be witnesses and missionaries of sharing the gospel to the whole world,” Rama said.

Mejares also pointed out that the celebration of the 450th year of the finding of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu and the 50th year anniversary of the then San Augustin Church made this year’s Sinulog different, even better.

“Adunay mga kalahian ang mga activities labaw na nga nagsaulog kita karon sa Kaplag ug sa anibersaryo sa atong simbahan nga nahimong Basilica Minore,” he said.

Mejares expressed his gratitude to the devotees who show their commitment to the Holy Child continually.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat mga tawo. On behalf sa working committee sa simbahan, salamat kaayo sa pagsalmot sa atong celebrasyon alang ni Santo Niño,” he said.

He also appealed to the faithful to share the words during the successive novena masses.

“Akong hangyo nila nga padayonon nato ang atong nakat-unan sa mga pulong nga gipaambit sa atong mga kaparian, tanan nilang nakuha nga pagtulun-an gikan sa mga kaparian, ibutang unta nila sa ilang kasing kasing, ipaambit usab nila didto sa uban labi na sa miyembro nila sa ilang pamilya,” he said.  (FREEMAN)