The Sinulog then and now
Sinulog! The drumbeats have not ceased since the early days of this month. From barangay to barangay, from school to school the familiar beat resounds, reminding everyone of the big bang of an event coming his way in this province.
“Big” indeed is the word for the Sinulog. From its start early in the 1980s (credit the idea to sportsman “Boy” Odilao) when it had only a little more than twenty participating contingents (mostly from local colleges) it has morphed into a nationally (and even globally) known affair graced by dozens of dance troupes coming from different places of the country.
This year’s Sinulog will feature close to 40 dance groups about 15 of which are from outside
Budget-wise, the event has necessitated bigger funding. Estimated cost of this year’s Sinulog is P18 million with the city government picking up the bill for P8 million. The Sinulog Foundation, currently chaired by vice mayor Michael Rama, takes care of the remaining expense items, a tall order really considering the belt-tightening measures in many commercial and industrial firms hereabout. Despite this, the Foundation still has won the financial support of Globe, Coca Cola, San Miguel Corp., Converges, to mention its major benefactors.
In its original version, there were no floats nor higantes nor children dancers. Only adult dancers figured in the street dancing. Aping the ati-atihan in Aklan, many of the dancers were clad (or unclad) as dark-skinned natives, a practice which inspired pranksters to harass onlookers with ash smears. The street dancing therefore became an occasion for what seemed at first to be naughty escapades from naughty individuals, but these later turned into violent confrontations, thus authorities were forced to step in to enforce order and discipline.
This was one reason why the Sinulog management discouraged in later years the participation of dancers with Ati-atihan get-up. Still later, the restriction went further. This time against lewdly garbed women performers because this offset the religious undertone of the Sinulog as a performing art event.
The entry of floats and higantes as well as of children dancers came a few years after the first Sinulog, circa 1983, and these have since then become regular attractions of the event. Children now watch in awe as higantes in different shapes and sizes do their thing along the mardi gras route while adults gape in wonderment as floats glide along fashioned in various artistry depicting themes of general interest. And parents of course delight in the swish and sway of their kids on the stage during the Sinulog sa Kabataan.
A new feature in the 2008 Sinulog is the Short Film Festival, which is a form of documentary film competition. The idea, according to Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros is to encourage amateur flick makers to come up with video documentations on the Sinulog covering its various aspects, thereby preserving such presentation for re-showing purposes.
In the 1980s and early 1990s the Sinulog parade contingents would converge in special areas designated for the purpose. At one time this was in the old reclamation plaza, then at the newly opened
From 1980 to the present, the Sinulog has undergone changes in scope and format as a result of changes in leadership. Basically, however, its entertainment features have remained the same despite some modifications and add-ons. Thus what its former director, the late Juan Aquino, had instituted has been carried out by its current director. Young and dynamic, Ballesteros’ creativity and skill in synchronizing the interests and needs of various Sinulog stakeholders have made this affair the greatest show in
Sinulog 2008 – be there and enjoy!
* * *
Email: [email protected]
- Latest
- Trending
