Sinulog to have new slogan

“One Beat, One Dance, One World” would be the Sinulog festival’s new slogan starting next year.

Sinulog Executive Committee Chairman and Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak told The FREEMAN that they decided to change the festival’s slogan because they want to include other countries in the celebration.

For the past years, the slogan is “One Beat, One Dance, One Vision.”

Tumulak said changing the slogan is allowable since the Sinulog Foundation Inc. has the authority to do it.

Tumulak said they have noticed that there are countries that have its own adaptation of the ritual dance of Sinulog.

That is why there will be a competition between other countries that will showcase their adaptation of the Sinulog festival dance which would make the celebration more grandeur compared to previous years.

He said they will set up a separate date for the competition of other countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and United States, among others.

The performances of the said countries will be played in an audio visual presentation.

“Well, ang atong Sinulog 2019 much more colorful, much more different kay ang atoang Sinulog 2019 would be one beat, one dance, one world. So ang atoang mga presentation on 2019 much more different compared to previous years,” Tumulak said.

However, as of press time, the committee has yet to come up with the set of prizes and the criteria of judging.

By organizing a competition for them is also a way of giving recognition and honor to these countries that pays tribute to the blessed Señor Santo Niño.

The Sinulog festival is one of the grandest festivals in the country. It is the festival held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the blessed child.

It is a dance ritual which showcased the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.

Tumulak said this type of concept for next year’s celebration is in preparation for the 500-year observance for Cebu’s Christianity in 2021.

“So ang tema sad nato, pagpangandam ni sa 2021 ang 500 years Christianity sa Sugbo diin ato ning gipahaom ang tanan. So, makapaabot ang atong mga spectators sa 2019 Sinulog nga mas bongga, mas nindot nga mga presentations ang makita nila,” Tumulak said.

This concept would help boost tourism and strengthen the faith of other Roman Catholics outside the country.

Aside from this, Tumulak said they limited the contingents of Sinulog sa Barangay, Sinulog sa Lalawigan and out of town participants to 10 only.

He said in last year’s grand parade, there are numerous entries which make the presentation longer. But he emphasized that this is still subject for final deliberation before the committee.

“Grabe to kadaghan, dugay kaayo nahuman last year, daghan kaayo barangays. So, depende ni karong hapon (yesterday) tan-awon namo, or ang mga barangays mag-merge lang sila para makita nato bongga ang ilang presentations,” Tumulak said.

At present, there are already out of town contingents that expressed their intentions to join the grand parade competition. These include Negros, Leyte and Samar.

“As of this time, wala’y laing changes except sa choreography, presentation mao rana so far. But, for the whole preparation sa Sinulog, as is ang tanan,” Tumulak said.

All business establishments would still be obliged to follow the 300-meter radius liquor ban within the Sinulog grand parade routes and all firms can allow spectators to utilize their comfort rooms with a minimal fee.

Further, Fuente Osmeña Circle will serve as a food park wherein barangays will sell their respective delicacies, food stalls in Plaza Independencia and Sinulog parties will be at the South Road Properties (SRP). —