CEBU, Philippines — With the coronavirus still in the air, the Cebu City government has laid down plans for an “unorthodox, unconventional, but innovative” Sinulog Festival in January 2021.
This was announced by Vice Mayor Michael Rama who is spearheading the cultural aspect of the festival on behalf of the city government.
As is tradition, the religious aspect, the Fiesta Señor, is being spearheaded by the Catholic Church.
“There must be a Sinulog, but mindful of the constraints. This time, it’s unorthodox, unconventional, but innovative,” Rama said during a press conference Friday.
Virtual
Most of the activities for the festival, including the ritual presentations or dance performances of contingents like those from different local government units in Cebu Province, will be carried out virtually.
This means the contingents will perform on video at their respective areas. The videos will then be put together and streamed as consecutive performances.
The competition among contingents from province LGUs is called traditionally as Sinulog sa Lalawigan.
“We have already thought of all possible scenarios, as far as the virtual presentation is concerned, so there will be a back-up plan in case of power shortage or problems with connectivity,” Rama said.
With the performances going virtual, Rama said contingents from the United States, Korea, and Portugal, as well as local government units from Luzon and Mindanao, have reportedly expressed interest to participate.
On-site performances
But there will be on-site ritual presentations and these will be performed by groups from different barangays in Cebu City.
In the regular Sinulog, this category is referred to as the Sinulog sa Dakbayan.
But Rama clarified there will be no audience during these on-site performances and the contingents will not dance on the streets.
The contingents will also be whisked immediately back to their barangay by bus immediately after their performance.
The city is eyeing at the Cebu City Sports Center or the South Road Properties as venue for the on-site performances.
New Rules
With the new conditions come new rules for the performances.
For one, Sinulog performers may be required to wear masks and observe physical distancing.
To make the distancing happen, only half of the usual number of contingent members will be allowed. In the past, a contingent can have as many as 500 members, including the production staff and working committee.
Organizers also said there will be no backdrops or wheeled-in props, as well as props that require the presence of props men during the performance.
Other Changes
The 2021 Sinulog will not have the higante contest, because these creations will require several people to put up, but the competition for puppeteers will take place so this is a “one man show”.
Other virtual activities include the Sinulog Idol, Sinulog Festival Queen, Balik Cebu, and pyrotechnics and photography contests.
The Cebu Carousel, meanwhile, will have 3D pop-ups, and exhibits of Cebu City’s tourist spots.
“Our goal is to provide our residents with a festive mood despite not having a grand parade to look forward to. When they go to work or go home, they will pass through the Cebu Carousel and enjoy the 3D scenery,” said Elmer “Jojo” Labella, executive director of Sinulog Foundation, Incorporated.
IATF rule
Under the revised omnibus guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, “mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences shall be allowed” in areas under modified general community quarantine, among which are Cebu City and Cebu Province.
Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center, said the EOC is yet to review the city’s plan for Sinulog 2021.
“We haven’t seen yet the proposed plan. EOC can’t make a comment on something that is not being presented to us yet. We’ll wait, anyway, it's still in the planning stage,” he told The Freeman yesterday. — JMO (FREEMAN)