2019 Sinulog Observations

Although we arrived some minutes earlier than the 9 a.m. Sinulog Mass at the basilica last Saturday, January 19, we were still late! We could not proceed immediately to the basilica because of the thick, huge crowd lined along the streets watching the remaining segments of the fluvial procession from Mandaue.

Students and ROTC volunteers served as a cordon to keep the crowd under control. Policemen were also present to ensure peace and order. Thankfully, after some waiting time, these crowd controllers allowed the Mass attendees to cross and get to the basilica.

The signages were very helpful, big and clear enough for all to see. Personnel were present to manage the millions there that day! Volunteers from various groups augmented the church and Cebu City crowd controllers. And while the crowd was thick, because of the strict but helpful crowd controllers, space for people to move was smoother than expected and assured.

The area near the clinic especially was strictly monitored, with everyone reminded not to block the way for those who needed immediate medical attention and service. There was also a separate entrance for PWDs and the elderly.

Large screens and speakers were set up in various locations, allowing the attendees, unable to get seats inside the basilica grounds, to actively participate throughout the mass.

That wonderful coordination and network of partners who ensured, among others, crowd management and control, emergency medical service, and active involvement in the religious ceremonies in the basilica deserve applause and gratitude!

Those in charge of parking and traffic, from Plaza Independencia to the basilica, should also be commended for maintaining order and strict compliance of parking and traffic regulations for vehicles and pedestrians.

Even with some overeager fans of Coco Martin overwhelming the crowd controllers at a portion of Mango Avenue, in general, congratulations and thank yous should also go to the police, the private and government volunteers, and all others who coordinated and networked together to ensure crowd assistance and control as well as peace and order along the Sinulog Grand Parade route.

With multi-sectoral partnership and coordination, Cebu City has demonstrated that it can successfully, effectively manage millions of people and allow them to worship and enjoy the Feast of the Sto. Niño and the rest of the Sinulog celebration.

Praise God for granting our prayers for a holy, safe, festive and clean Feast of the Sto. Niño!

Oh, certainly, there is so much more room for improvement for future festivals and celebrations.

For example, while with some modest positive results, more should get together to improve waste management initiatives along the Sinulog routes, worship areas, and many other side streets littered with so much garbage.

More partners from the barangays can be tapped to form a strong and effective, creative, coordinated, collaborative multi-sectoral network of volunteers for waste management.

Media, with businesses, offices, churches, schools, the police/military and other agencies/organizations located in the barangays, can be mobilized to coordinate and participate in the Basura Watch campaign.

Waste management education and practice need prioritization. Eco-show rooms and best waste management practices should be made accessible to the public. The Sinulog eco-stations can be barangay-based for centralized collection/segregation and as redemption centers with trash exchanged for some goodies or free medicines, etc. Rewards and incentives can be offered to effective waste management practitioners and communities.

With committed and coordinated networks of multi-sectoral partners, Basura Watch, and more importantly, the protection of Mother Earth can be as festive, fun, participative, holy and sacred, and beneficial for all, for our planet and our people.

Together, let’s start, try again, now?