Sinulog season officially opens

CEBU, Philippines —  The Sinulog 2020 started officially yesterday but the highlight of the launch was what Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella described as a “first in the Sinulog history.”

At least 200 street children from barangays Ermita, San Nicolas, and Santo Niño participated in the opening parade yesterday as beneficiaries of the so-called “Sinulog sa Palaboy” project of the newly created Sinulog Governing Board.

The children will also participate in the Grand Parade on January 19.

"This is just a glimpse of what's going to happen in the final grand parade," Labella said in his speech at the Cebu City Sports Center where he declared the Sinulog Festival open.

Initiated by governing board project director Val Sandiego, the “Sinulog sa Palaboy” aims to take the children off the streets and use the dance for the Santo Niño to evangelize them.

Aside from the “Sinulog sa Palaboy” project, the first Sinulog Drum and Bugle Competition also took center stage yesterday.

The competitors included the Jaguars Care and Cluster Drum & Bugle Corp.; Frontpage Drum and Bugle Corp.; Magsico National High School Drum & Bugle Corp.; Troubadours Drum & Bugle Corp.; and Dumanjug National High School Drum & Bugle Corp.

Sandiego said the city wanted to highlight the Drum and Bugle groups this year because they have been a major component in Sinulog performances.

The winners in the competition are Magsico National High School Drum & Bugle Corp, first place; Troubadours Drum & Bugle Corp., second place; and Dumanjug National High School Drum & Bugle Corp., third place.

They will be awarded formally during the awarding ceremonies on January 20.

Yesterday’s launch also showcased talents from different schools in Cebu City through dance routines that highlighted the four mysteries of the Holy Rosary- joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious.

Prior to the opening program at the sports center, performers, devotees, and city officials attended a Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño before participating in the opening parade.

"Akong gipanghinaot nga malingaw kita samtang nag-ampo kitag pasalamat sa atong Señor Sto. Niño," Labella said. JMO (FREEMAN)