Sinulog winners get full amount of prizes after 3 months delay

CEBU, Philippines — All six winners in this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade “higantes” and puppeteers competition finally received the full amount of their prizes yesterday at the Cebu City Hall.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña personally handed the remaining amount to the winners after one of them earlier complained that his prize was short of P10,000. On top of the cash prize, the mayor also gave an additional P10,000 to each winners as compensation for the inconvenience it has brought to them the miscommunication between the city government and the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated.

The winners for the “higantes” competition were Sweet Life Creative Services and Events, first place; The Corn Sinulog Dancer, second place; and Padre Pedro Valderama, third place. For puppeteers were Orly Johnson Fuentes (first place), Angelique Marie Arañas (second place), and Ryan Cuyos (third place).

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the Sinulog Executive Committee, explained that the winners received P50,000 for the first prize; (P30,000) for the second prize; and (P20,000) for the third prize instead of the new sets of prizes—P75,000 for the first place; P45,000 for the second place; and P30,000 for the third place.

Analyn Cuyos, Ryan’s wife, earlier complained before Osmeña about the incomplete amount received by her husband.

Jovanni Abos, proprietor of Sweet Life Creative Services and Events, said they are thankful that they have finally received the remaining amount of their prize despite the delay. He said it took them three months to follow up before finally getting the full amount.

“Pasalamat mi sa city government of Cebu and of course sa Sinulog Foundation. It’s delayed but it is considered as blessing. Thank you for the action,” Abos said. (FREEMAN)