One Cebu island Sinulog eyed

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is upbeat on the return of the Sinulog next year which will adopt the one Cebu island approach at the South Road Properties.

Rama said he already discussed the initial plans with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. The mayor is looking forward for the all-out support of the two other highly urbanized cities -- Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

“Sinulog for your information will be at South Road Property…I talked it over with Governor and said, let's make One island of Cebu Sinulog together with the tri-cities!,” said Rama.

Rama said the city government is putting up a “world tent city” at the SRP.

He said the Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu will play a big role as hotels and resorts will be showcasing their food and interior decorations at the SRP.

“There will be a contest for all the tents,” said Rama for guests to enjoy.

The mayor made the announcement during his speech at the Plaza Sugbo on his first 100 days in office where he reported his administration’s accomplishments. During the occasion he asked everyone present to pledge their support for the upcoming Sinulog.

According to him, it will be a bottoms-up approach even as the Sinulog Foundation will be there. This will be the first time the Sinulog will be held at the SRP.

Rama would have wanted to stage a bubble-type Sinulog last year at the SRP but was not given the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for fear of making it a source of widespread infection of the COVID-19.

This year, the city opened the year, trying to recover from the wrath of typhoon Odette that hit last December.

The grand comeback of the Sinulog was inspired by the successful staging of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo in August. The Provincial Government of Cebu brought back the festival of festivals in the province after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic as part of the activities of the founding anniversary of the province.

According to Rama, the success of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo proved that such a festival can now be safely done.

Rama said that aside from going away from the traffic, his decision to bring the Sinulog to SRP is to showcase the prime property to possible investors.

The Cebu City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed its support for the staging of the Sinulog at the SRP.

CCCI president Charles Kenneth Co also welcomed the city’s plan of putting up a world tent city.

"Let's support our Mayor and the City with this new change so that it will be an enjoyable Sinulog for everyone, especially our pilgrims and visitors," Co said. — Sanden Anadia, FPL (FREEMAN)