The Banauan Cultural Group, which consists of dancers from Barangays Banawa and Guadalupe, join the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 19, 2020. | CDN DIGITAL FILE PHOTO ( Gerard Francisco)
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Seven contingents have already registered for the Sinulog 2023 slated in January next year, Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella said on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
Without specifying yet who the participants were, Labella said, the contingents were from Cebu City and out of town.
The SFI executive director also said preparations are already ongoing for the comeback of the Sinulog, two years after its pandemic-induced hiatus.
This time, changes, particularly in its branding and venue, have been introduced in line with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s bid for a “Singapore-like Cebu City.”
Labella said Rama had collaborated with the Cebu Provincial government and the two other independent cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City for the Sinulog this January.
“In fact, with the success of Pasigarbo, we were very much aware that a lot (of contingents) are already signifying to join Sinulog 2023. This time, we will have One Cebu Island conceptualized by the overall chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and at the same time he is our mayor,” he said.
Labella said that it was also expected that winning teams from the recently concluded Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 would take part in Sinulog 2023.
Labella, however, pointed out that participants would have to undergo screening first.
He also noted that while spectators could still witness the traditional free interpretation and Sinulog-based categories in the competition, the SFI was also planning to have Andas and marching band competitions.
“We will try to have a brass band competition, with choreographer and majorettes, we will have to try that. And the Andas competition will also be there because this is what the mayor wanted also to have,” he added.
Labella said initially the budget for the Sinulog 2023 would be roughly P30 to P40 million, which would cover the prizes, subsidies, and other operational expenses.
He said that based on the initial meetings, SFI would not be increasing its prizes for the contingents.
He, however, added that they would also not be increasing the fees for trade and street fairs and other rentals.
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