‘Pasigarbo complements Sinulog’

CEBU, Philippines — Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo will complement, not compete with, the Sinulog as it is held about six months from the latter.

Pasigarbo is set for August, during the occasion of the founding anniversary of the province, while the Sinulog falls on the third Sunday of every year.

According to the governor, Pasigarbo would also complement Sinulog as the latter is held in honor of the Sr. Sto. Niño while those towns and cities joining the former often offer their performance to their respective patron saints as well.

Garcia, in an interview yesterday, said she is eyeing an annual partnership with the Cebu City government for its conduct.

She said she was grateful for the support from the Cebu City government, especially Mayor Edgardo Labella.

The so-called “Festival of Festivals” was held at the Cebu City Sports Center last Sunday.

Garcia said the venue was very suited for Pasigarbo as it accommodated a large audience as compared to previous installations held at the Cebu International Convention Center grounds, where additional benches had to be put up and some audience had to watch the performances standing.

“We are looking at the possibility of, perhaps, as this unity continues between Cebu City and the province, this could be an annual event that answers the Sinulog,” Garcia said.

As for the performances, Garcia said she was pleasantly surprised with the grand presentations showcased by the participants, considering the limited time they were given to prepare.

“Natandog gyud akong kasing-kasing sa hilabihan nga paningkamot sa tanan nga (I was touched, especially by the determination of) participating contingents coming from 44 towns and cities,” she said.

Because the decision to revive the Pasigarbo was only made known in July when Garcia assumed the Capitol leadership, participants this year only had less than two months to practice.

She said she would still have understood it if the mayors declined because of time and budgetary constraints. In fact, she said, she only expected more or less 20 participants.

Despite the limitations, she remarked that the presentations were “truly world-class.”

In the future, though, the governor said the Capitol will carefully study how time can be better managed given the sheer number of participants.

Last Sunday’s event lasted more than 12 hours due to minor delays before and after the street dancing segment.

An option being considered is holding the street dancing competition in the morning and starting the ritual showdown early afternoon.  — JMD (FREEMAN)