Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and SFI Exec. Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella talk with the reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 16, to give updates for the Sinulog grand parade in SRP. CDN Digital photo | Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City government and the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) are still finalizing the list of contingents and the prizes six days before the Sinulog Grand Ritual Showdown kicks off on Jan. 21 at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called for a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 16, to give some updates regarding their preparation for the Sinulog at the SRP. SFI Executive Director Elmer “Jojo” Labella also attended on the event.
Among the concerns they tackled were the final list of contingents and the prizes for the winners of the ritual showdown.
No competition with Capitol
When asked if there is a possibility that the prizes of the ritual showdown would be more than what was given during the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, Rama, refused to give a categorical answer.
He, however, stressed that he does not compete with the Capitol-led event that was held last Jan. 14.
To recall, in the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, the Capitol gave P3 million for the grand champion, the second prize was P2 million, the third prize was P1.5 million, the fourth prize was P1 million, the fifth prize was P750,000, and the consolation prize was P500,000.
However, on top of this, the Cebu City government announced an additional P500,000 for the grand winner; P400,000 for the second prize, P300,000 for the third prize; P200,000 for the fourth prize, and P150,000 for the fifth placer.
In a news forum on the same day, Rama urged the contingents to not focus on the prize but on the competition.
“Let’s not focus on the prize. Let’s have to be focused on the competition. Let’s focus on how well the presentation in honor and venerating Señor Santo Niño [will turn out],” Rama said.
Initial prizes for the Sinulog ritual showdown
As of Tuesday, the initial prizes that was disclosed by Rama are the following:
Sinulog Based
- 1st prize – P1 million
- 2nd prize – P700,000
- 3rd prize – P500,000
- 4th prize – P300,000
- 5th prize – P200,000
Free Interpretation
- 1st prize – P1 million
- 2nd prize – P700,000
- 3rd prize – P500,000
- 4th prize – P300,000
- 5th prize – P200,000
Rama said that the prizes are yet to be finalized as these will either be retained, increased, or decreased. The final prizes for the winners of the ritual showdown will be announced by the SFI soon. No date was specified.
Moreover, as of Jan. 16, Tuesday, there are 12 confirmed contingents from Cebu City that will be joining the Sinulog ritual showdown. There will also be two out-of-town contingents, two guest contingents, and four contingents who will be joining in the parade only or the street dancing.
The final number of competing contingents are also yet to be announced since Rama said that all of the contingents from the Sinulog sa Dakbayan will be competing in the Grand Ritual Showdown.
Initial list of contingents
Here is the initial list of the Sinulog 2024 contingents:
- Pundok Baniladnon sa Sugbo – Barangay Banilad
- Aktibong Binaliwhanon – Barangay Binaliw
- Inayawan Talents Guild and Cultural Dance Group – Barangay Inayawan
- Banauan Cultural Group – Barangay Guadalupe
- Tribu Mabolokon – Barangay Mabolo
- Tribu Masadyaong Subanian – Barangay Suba
- Banay Labangon – Barangay Labangon
- Tribu San Roque sa Ciudad – Barangay San Roque
- Barangay Sapangdaku
- Banay Sanicolasnon – Barangay San Nicolas Proper
- Kulturang Sugboanon sa Balangay T. Padilla – Barangay T. Padilla
- Tribu Divinohanon – Divino Amore Academy
Out of town contingents:
- Canlaon City, Negros Oriental – Pasayaw Festival
- San Jose, Dinagat Islands – Tribu Kamanting Performing Arts Guild
Guest contingents:
- Republic of Korea – Chunchun Nongak Preservation Association
- Bacolod City – Masskara Festival
Will join only in the grand parade:
- Nagkahiusang Pamilyang Cebu Gen – Private sector
- Barangay Bulacao powered by Alph Kappa Rho
- Barangay Basak San Nicolas – Lumad Basakanon
- Cebu City Government
READ:
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