Pro tips for aspiring Sinulog champions

How did the police arrive at the estimate that two million showed up for Sunday’s Sinulog and Fiesta Señor celebrations? And what are the judges’ suggestions for those competing in the grand parade next year?

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) observed a more peaceful Sinulog this year compared to last year despite the increased number of devotees and revelers who joined the festivities.

Acting Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Senior Supt. Julian Entoma said the police were grateful for the cooperation of teenagers who went out on Sunday night.

“When we monitored that they increased in numbers from Gen. Maxilom Ave. to Plaza Independencia, we sent additional personnel. But when we asked for their understanding and asked them not to be unruly, they listened,” Entoma said. “It was successful.”

He told law enforcers to avoid reacting when the occasional cuss words were directed at them.

“I told my men to let them be. Those words won’t kill us. Some of them were blaming the police and calling us killjoys because of ban on street parties and liquor,” Entoma said. It was the Cebu City Government that decided on the ban, which organizers are planning to expand during next year’s Sinulog.

The acting city director also said that the police will recommend denying the permit of an eatery that was reported to have sold liquor even if they were located only 150 meters away from the parade route. Overall, the police considered the ban as good news.

“Baseline area on Gen. Maxilom Ave., notorious for its near-stampede incidents in the previous years, attracted a crowd of not more than 35,000.

Around 10 p.m., most of them flocked to Plaza Independencia where a concert was being held. The crowd in the plaza rose to some 100,000 on Sunday night until dawn, Entoma said. The CCPO estimated that two million devotees and revelers turned up for Sinulog 2018, assuming four persons for every square meter from the grand parade route to the Basilica and other key areas like malls.