SINULOG'S USUAL SUSPECTS
The country’s biggest and most colorful festival is never without a host of events that lead up to the grand finale. While many bear witness to the success of these activities, not everyone knows the people behind the fanfare, the ones who exert as much effort as possible to make every Sinulog the most memorable yet. Here they are along with the roles they play this time of year. Sinulog Foundation Inc.’s Ricky Ballesteros, Junjet Primor and Val San Diego
Together with project chairperson Dolly Suzara and choreographer Victor Cuenco, artistic director Junjet Primor, dance director Val Sandiego and executive director Ricky Ballesteros saw to it that this year’s festivities will be even more exciting than last year’s.
Having worked together for more than a decade, Junjet, Val and Ricky continually innovate so that no two concepts are alike. According to them, the Sinulog is a festival of the arts—the Sinulog Idol, Sinulog Dance Crew, Short Film Festival, Photography Contest, Chorale Contest and Poster Making Contest are all proof of this. Not to mention, the flamboyant costumes and the music which evolves each year but remains rooted to the rhythm that Cebu and the world are familiar with.
Islands Souvenirs’ Anton Aldeguer
Locals and tourists alike sport shirts from Islands Souvenirs during Sinulog. Since 1992, the company has provided quality products, the designs of which are carefully thought of to represent certain destinations in the Philippines. Anton Aldeguer says that the Islands group is composed of creative strategists who constantly innovate and are quick to react to the ever changing demands of the market. It also helps that their stores are in high-traffic tourist locations across the country. From basic souvenir shirts to personalized ones and the Sinulog Cut and Style shirts, there’s a shirt for everyone at Islands Souvenirs. This year’s Cut and Style is bringing out the bling with beads and sequins for the same fun and festive feel but with a hint of glitz and glam.
LifeDance Cebu’s Gahum Garcia; Spectrum Lifestyle Inc.’s Ken Onozawa and Richard Sharpe
Sinulog in itself is one big party. Add to the picture LifeDance and Sinulog Invasion that both gather well-known disc jockeys and the best local and international talents, and one has a Sinulog that will go down in history as one of the best.
For this year’s Sinulog Invasion, Spectrum will spotlight Filipino DJs and artists while LifeDance will feature three stages—Utopia (main stage), Eden (underground music) and Solaris (indie bands stage)—creating the ultimate music experience with 37 acts. The Sinulog Invasion, now on its sixth year, will be held on Jan. 15 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit Grounds, Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City, while LifeDance for its fifth year, will be on Jan. 13 at City di Mare, SRP Grounds. Cebuanos had better be ready for the two biggest parties in town.
Cattski Espina and Kurt Fick
Sinulog is when Cebu’s culture and arts are highlighted. Over the years, it has become one of the ways to promote Cebu’s music and introduce its artists to the world. Known as the singer-songwriter of the band Cattski and one of the two women behind 22 Tango Records, Cattski Espina supplies highly curated local homegrown music for this year’s Sinulog to showcase the best as Cebu and other parts of the country have started to welcome and embrace local music.
Sharing the advocacy of celebrating homegrown music is Kurt Fick whose dream for Cebuano music to be recognized has become a reality. Cattski and Kurt are both active in initiatives that further support their cause. One can catch Kurt and the artists of 22 Tango Records perform live in a Sinulog event near him.