All Sinulog contests cancelled

CEBU, Philippines —  All Sinulog-related contests – from the Sinulog Grand Parade to Sinulog Idol to Sinulog Festival Queen – have been cancelled this year, according to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.

The Sinulog this year will instead be a fund-raising activity of sorts for those affected by Typhoon Odette in Cebu City.

The cancellation of all Sinulog activities comes as Cebu City sees an increase in COVID-19 cases and prepares against the threat of the Omicron variant.

Rama told reporters there will be no showdown among contingents and dance presentations this year.

The Festival Queen, which pushed through last year amid the pandemic, has also been dropped this year. Same with singing contest Sinulog Idol and other Sinulog-related events.

Rama said there will only be one physical activity, and that is a mass with only a very limited number of attendees during the Fiesta Señor day itself on January 16.

Other details for this year’s celebration are still being finalized, but Rama said that based on his meeting with the Cebu City Tourism Commission and the Sinulog Foundation, there will be some virtual activities.

The virtual presentation will feature interviews with devotees of the Sto. Niño and the Sinulog Festival.

Rama said devastation brought about by Typhoon Odette may also be shown virtually, including some affected families and sectors.

A telethon – a sort of television program meant principally to raise money for charity -- may also be conducted by the Sinulog Foundation for those who wish to help typhoon-stricken Cebuanos.

The novena masses will also be virtual.

Last Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte agreed with the recommendation of some medical experts for the Filipino people to avoid superspreader events which include the Traslacion, feast of Sto. Niño and Chinese New Year.

“I am now appealing to you (Catholic church leaders) to forego and cancel all physical gatherings including the procession and the celebration of mass... There are millions of devotees there and you cannot just be complacent about the transmission of the disease,” Duterte said in his Talk to the People program. —   JMD (FREEMAN)