24 groups joining Sinulog events
CEBU CITY — Twenty-four contingents have confirmed their participation in four Sinulog events this year. There are 13 contingents from the barangays of Cebu City vying in the Sinulog sa Barangay; five towns-contingents for the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, and six from other places in the country joining the Grand Parade, Stephanie Villarica head of the Sinulog Foundation Marketing and Promotions division, said Tuesday.
“We also have special performances coming from the San Diego Dance Company, Cebu City Government, and a special guest performance from the Wonju Dance Company from Korea,” Villarica added.
Sinulog starts on Jan. 11 and will end on Jan. 21.
Villarica said the Sinulog Foundation has been meeting regularly with the police and other law enforcement units to discuss all aspects of the event including the safety of contingents.
“We are very ready because it’s something we do every year and this is our 39th year of the Sinulog festivities,” she said.
The pre-Sinulog events start on Jan. 10 with nightly activities that include concerts, booths and cultural performances at the Fuente Circle and at Plaza Independencia organized by the various universities here.
On Sinulog Day, Jan. 20, there will be 26 floats, higantes and puppeteers joining the parade and about 200 participants for the photography contest.
Judy Gabato, the chief Tourism Operations Officer of the Department of Tourism here, said she expects more visitors this year, with the opening of the new international terminal at the MCIA and the Panglao international airport in Bohol.
Three flights from PAL, Eva Air and Cathay are expected on Jan. 17 carrying Balikbayans from the United States and other countries.
Neneth Castillon, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) terminal operations head, told media they expect tourists arrivals this year to be four-percent higher than last year’s 223,000 arrivals.
The festivity will start on Jan. 10 with the Walk with Jesus at 3:30 a.m. at the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño.
Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., OSA, rector and overall chairman of the committee, appealed to the devotees to have orderly Masses at the Basilica.
“Please use designated entrance and exits to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Avoid bringing jewelry and big bags,” said Nohara.
He also reminded that starting Jan. 10 until the end of Sinulog, the Basilica will be closed from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. so workers can clean the church.
Police help desks will be put up in the church.
“Our emergency preparedness and response plan is all set,” said Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Chief Supt. Dennis Agustin, deputy director of Central Visayas police, said the planned shutdown of cell phone signals in areas where there are Sinulog activities on Jan. 19 and 20 will push through.
“There is no imminent threat but we will still push through with that plan since cell phones are being used as an IED (improvised explosive device) detonator,” said Agustin.
Sr. Supt. Royina Garma, chief of the Cebu City police, said no drones will be allowed to fly during the Grand Parade.
“Violators will be dealt with accordingly. Just like cell phones, drones can also be used as a detonator,” said Garma.
At least 6,000 police officers will be deployed to secure Sinulog, he said.
“We are coordinating with other agencies and cities since we know that pickpockets from other places will be arriving to take advantage of the activities. We are checking their profiles and we are also intensifying our intelligence monitoring to prevent any groups from causing chaos,” Garma said.