Prizes unsettled five months after Sinulog 2021

CEBU, Philippines —  Almost five months after Sinulog 2021, the people who took part in the events organized by the Cebu City government are calling on City Hall to release their prizes, even subsidies and honoraria.

The matter became hot topic on social media after prominent host and director Sam Costanilla called out Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama on the matter.

Rama, the overall convenor of the Sinulog in January, said he will meet with all parties concerned.

“Ako nang ipatawag sila’ng tanan balik,” Rama told The Freeman. He did not comment further.

Labella did not return requests for comment as of yesterday.

The Cebu City government has set aside P22 million to stage this year’s Sinulog.

In a Facebook post, Costanilla disclosed that Sinulog Idol All Star grand champion Melody Hodgson has yet to receive her P50,000 cash prize.

Costanilla was the host of the event.

“Yes, folks, she and the other winners as well as the production crew, show managers, hosts and others involved have been waiting for their prizes and honoraria for service rendered,” he wrote.

“In previous years, all Sinulog Idol payables were processed and given to those that deserved them at least in February - or a month after the proclamation of the winners,” he wrote further.

Marvey Cano of the Cebu Choreographers Association also disclosed that prizes and full subsidy for the Sinulog Festival Queen has not yet been released. He said they were promised P300,000 as subsidy for the ritual showdown and the city has released only P100,000, so far.

Jed Vincent Rimmele who supported Barangay Punta Princesa financially in both the Sinulog Festival Queen and ritual showdown, also called on the city government to keep its word.

“If possible unta, if they can release it asap gyud kay akong concern, ang Festival Queen, naikog najud ko sa akoang candidate. Even though ako’y nag-finance, they deserve the price baya gyud... They do their best to perform, they don’t deserve nga ila lang pahuwaton for how many months,” Rimmele said.

Krisha Andrea Pikitpikit, Barangay Punta Princesa’s representative in the festival queen contest, won second runner-up. She also won Best in Production Number and Most Photogenic.

The total amount of prizes she is yet to receive is P45,000.

Rimmele also appealed to the city government to release the remaining P200,000 subsidy for the ritual showdown.

“They should release the remaining subsidy in the amount of P200,000. We deserve also sad kay daghan baya sad mi’g mga suppliers sad nga up until now wala pa namo bayari,” he added.

Rimmele said he spent around P350-400,000 for both activities, which is why he is disappointed with what happened.

He said what is happening is “not a joke and this is a matter of trust and faith gyud sa Cebu City government.”

“Sa nangagi nga years, we don’t have any problem gyud with this kind of situation (release of prizes and subsidy). Wa ju’y problem... This year 2021, I may say the worst gyud kay hapit na mo-six months, we’re running end na for May. June na, half in a year na. Pila lang kapamilok, mag-December na, January na, mag-Sinulog nasad... The big question— naa ba mi paabuton? Or wala na mi paabuton?” — JMO (FREEMAN)