Mildred Bongato, a first-time visitor of Cebu touches the image of the Sto. Niño at the airport. (CDN PHOTOS/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
After experiencing the warm Sinulog welcome at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, balikbayans and local tourists, who arrived yesterday, are looking forward to experience the Sinulog festivities in Cebu.
Mildred Bongato, a 69-year-old nurse from San Francisco, USA, is a first-time Cebu visitor. She said she is here to experience what the Sinulog was all about.
Bongato was impressed and taken in by the Sinulog welcome at the airport where officials and employees of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and representatives from the Cebu City
Tourism Council greeted them with warm smiles and a tarpaulin saying “Maayong Pag-abot Balikbayans!”
A band of musicians in red costumes was playing the Sinulog theme as airport employees gave the new arrivals garlands.
“I like it, I like it,” Bongato said, while taking pictures of the musicians.
Mildred, who is traveling with her husband Leopoldo, will be staying in the Philippines for nearly a month.
They will stay in Cebu for the duration of the Sinulog and travel to popular tourist destinations such as Bohol and El Nido in Palawan.
Both balikbayans were born and raised in Pangasinan, but they moved to the States to work.
Mildred said she didn’t know anything about the Sinulog festival apart from the street dancing and music, but her Cebuano co-workers convinced her and her husband to visit Cebu and experience the Sinulog themselves.
“I don’t know anything about this Sinulog — I’m just hoping for a wonderful stay,” she told Cebu Daily News.
“We are hoping we will experience something unusual, something amazing, and see what a Sinulog really is as well as all the things Cebu offers to tourists,” she added.
Leopoldo, 70, a retired traffic engineer, said that Cebu seemed an interesting place to start their travels in the Philippines because it is a “booming place.”
Their peers, however, warned them of pickpockets during the jampacked activities, but, aside from that, the couple was optimistic and excited about what awaits them in Cebu.
Paul Villarete, Mactan Cebu International Airport general manager (2nd from left), shares a light moment with members of the Association of Sto Niño de Cebu USA during their arrival at the airport. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Another group of balikbayans are visiting for religious reasons.
“We used to come here every year as part of our pilgrimage,” said Buddy Reyes, 79.
Buddy, together with his wife Luz, 77, and other members of the Association of Sto Niño de Cebu USA, will be attending the Sinulog celebration on Sunday.
The 15-member group used to annually visit Cebu from 2002 to 2008, but only again picked up the practice this year.
Luz, a Bicolana, added that they are excited to see what else is in store for Sinulog. It is her fourth time to visit Cebu.
One of their companions, Benz Ramorez, who originally hailed from Palompon, Leyte, said he will not only be staying for Sinulog but for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress as well.
At the same time, the group shared their eagerness at exploring the rest of the Cebu province or going on some of the tours.
Regardless of the reason of their visit, whether it be for leisure, rekindling of beliefs, or just to visit family, the balikbayans are positive that they will have a great stay in Cebu and an even greater time celebrating the Sinulog festival with the locals.