Foreign contingent

The Sinulog Executive Committee has received a letter that the city of Wonju in Gangwon, South Korea, would like to join the upcoming Sinulog 2019 Grand Parade as a guest. They expressed in their communication their intent to exchange culture with Cebu and explore the city as it is. With this development, many are excited that for the first time ever, there will be foreigners dancing the traditional Sinulog - complete with costume and image of the child Jesus.

But are we ready for them? With the coming of the foreign contingent we are faced with the question of security. Are we ready to secure our visitors? The PNP already said that their deployment plan has been in place. All they need to do is execute it. However, with this new development, there will be changes. Adjustments will have to be made. Add to the security stress is the possibility of the president coming to see the event. Let’s not forget that it is also election season.

We will also be subject to judgement by these people and the rest of the world. Every move we make and how they will be taken care of as they stay in Cebu will be taken note. The way I look at it, it is a win-win situation. The city can ride on the publicity of the Sinulog through their social media feeds while the Koreans can also make waves in their country being guest performers.

I wonder what the response of the Cebuanos will be. Well, we are known to be hospitable. Others might also be in awe of these Koreans who will dance the Sinulog. We can also look at it the other way, they may be bashed because they are not true-blue devotees to the Sto. Niño. But before we judge others, we should also look at ourselves. I guess the Sinulog goes beyond the devotion, it has now become a part of our culture and tradition.

We still have a month and a few weeks to go before the Sinulog. There will be a lot of preparations that will be underway. Every agency involved is now trying to give the best show we can offer not only to the locals but to the visitors as well. They promised us a meaningful and also peaceful Sinulog. We can count on them to bring this to us, but we should also do our part in making sure that everything is in order. How? Simple. Follow rules and abide. If we can just adhere to the authorities, I'm sure it will be unforgettable in a good way.

I'm excited at this new Sinulog for 2019. We will surely miss the good days where the Tribu Sinanduloy was always the show stopper and that drunk people were dancing, throwing booze into the air, and giving out free hugs. None of that may be experienced next year, yet we will go back to the true meaning of the festival. One beat, one dance, for the world.