With the papal visit coinciding with the Sinulog, the Cebu provincial government’s float in the grand parade will have a theme related to Pope Francis and the unity of the Cebuanos during calamities.
The float will have an image of the Pope in front and the image of Señor Sto. Niño at the back. The design of the painted styrofoam panels will be kept simple as in previous years, said Ramil Abing, assistant provincial administrator.
They are still finalizing the float design conceptualized by the Provincial Information Office (PIO), said Abing. It will be executed by the engineering office.
In last year’s Sinulog, the Capitol’s float featured a simple nipa hut with a Sto. Niño at the window depicting “Bangon Sugbo”, recovery efforts in northern Cebu after supertyphoon Yolanda struck in November 2013.
This year, the Capitol will be sending a contingent for the street dancing, a first for Davide’s administration.
Capitol employees will form the dance troupe but will not join the dance competition.
In the previous administration, former governor and now 3rd district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia would lead Capitol department heads and select a Cebu town’s festival contingent to represent the province in the Sinulog parade.
Garcia, whose gowns were designed by top coutouriers in Cebu, danced every year from 2009 to 2013, the last of which she did while under suspension.
Davide was asked if he would lead the Capitol’s dance team this year.
“Di lang ta ana,” he said with a laugh. “Di ta ganahan ana. Mas angayan ang mga babaye (No, I don’t like that. Dancing is better suited for women).”