SINULOG KICKS OFF

At least 30,000 out on the streets to witness opening of Cebu’s signature festival

A contingent of the University of Cebu participates in the launch parade on Osmena Boulevard, one of several schools who joined the kick off parade. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

Overcast skies  failed to dampen yesterday’s opening parade that launched  Sinulog 2015,  Cebu’s biggest festival.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, overall chairman of the Sinulog, formally declared the festival open after a 2:30 p.m. Mass at the Pilgrim Center of the Basilica Minore del Sto Niño.

This year’s theme is “Sto. Niño: Hope of the People,” the same as that of the Cebu Archdiocese for the religious feast.

A brief  drizzle fell on the crowd, which included devotees and students who  packed the church plaza,  but the skies didn’t let loose a downpour to mar the opening salvo of the 35th year of the Sinulog.

“The weather was cooperative and the contingents were very colorful. The launching sets the mood for the Sinulog celebration 2015. Pit Senyor!” said Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros.

Mayor Rama said he’s  thankful to the Sto. Niño for not allowing rain to fall during the launch and trusts the  Holy Child Jesus will  be present  to  ensure the success of the festival. .

POSITIVE ANSWER

In his homily during the Mass,  Msgr. Roberto Alesna said people should continue to dream.

“God said, cast all your cares on  me. Kabalaka, kaguol ug kabalisa. I will not abandon you. I will not forsake you. I will always be with you,” he said.

Even when bad things happen, God always has a positive answer, he said.

Msgr. Alesna reminded public officials  and influential people to focus on the common good.

“Madato ug magamhanan man ta, atong gamiton atong gahum ug impluwensya, sapi ug kabutangan dili alang lang sa atong kaugalingon kundi alang sa uban, labi na sa mga kabus,” he said.
(Whether one is rich  or  powerful, let us use our wealth and influence, not for our own interests but for the good of others, especially the poor.)

The year 2015 is celebrated as the Year of the Poor by Philippine Catholic bishops.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, city councilors and members of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.  attended the Mass and  kick-off parade from the Basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

After the Mass, cash envelopes were handed out to candle vendors in the basilica, a tradition that honors the sinulog dance still performed by these vendors.

Boy scouts and girl scouts led the parade carrying a hundred Philippine flags.

This year’s candidates of the Miss Cebu pageant. together with reigning Miss Cebu, Cheriemel Diane Muego, joined  the parade on board vintage cars provided by the Volkswagen Club sa Sugbo.

Contingents from 17 schools danced on the streets to the beat of  four Sinulog songs.  The parade   down Osmeña Boulevard started at the basilica turned around the Fuente Osmeña circle and back to the CCSC.

Reigning Sinulog Festival Queen, Christine Jael Abellanosa of Tuburan town, led the performers. She wore a white gown and held an image of the Sto. Niño.

Ballesteros said this year’s launching parade was the most attended so far.

Aa “safe and conservative” estimate was given by Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) officer-in-charge, Senior Supt. Conrad Capa, who pegged the participants and spectators at  30,000 including those at the basilica, on the streets and at the sports center.

“The opening was  heartwarming and amazing. Even during the mass, there were a lot of people. Its a good sign.  It will be an exciting and challenging Sinulog,” said Mayor Rama.

Traffic along the route was manageable, said Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) operations chief Joy Tumulak said traffic.

Immediately after the tail end of the parade passes an intersection, the road was reopened to allow vehicles to pass. .

At least  231 city police were fielded at the basilica, sports center and along the route yesterday.

“We had no problem with crowd control.  Cebuanos are very disciplined. I’m amazed at the discipline I have been witnessing the past two days. I’m impressed. This makes my job  very easy,” said Capa.

He said this was his first time to experience the Sinulog.

Capa, former head of Camp Crame’s Task Force Tugis, was transferred to the Police Regional Office 7 early last year. He was named OIC of the Cebu city police last December following the relief of Senior Supt. Noli Romana .

A thousand dancers performed on stage in a finale number that ended with  a fireworks display.

The schools who joined the parade were University of San Carlos, Cebu Technological University, Mandaue City College, Indiana Aerospace University, Southwestern University, Abellana National School, Asian College of Technology,

University of Cebu, Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology, Cebu Doctors’ University, University of Southern Philippine Foundation, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Mandaue City Science High School, Cebu Normal University, University of the Visayas, Visayas State University and University of San Jose-Recoletos.