Weekend forecast fails to dampen dancers’ spirits

Rain is in the forecast for the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday, Jan. 20.

Angelo Manapsal, 52, one of the two choreographers of the Cebu City Government contingent, said the weather disturbance expected to affect Cebu over the weekend will not stop them from performing for Señor Sto. Niño.

“Rain or shine mi. The show must go on. Offer man ni sa Sto. Niño. Bahala og unsay mahitabo, padayon lang g’yod (It’s our offering for the Sto. Niño. So no matter what happens, we will perform),” he said.

Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, the overall chairperson of Sinulog Foundation Inc.’s executive committee, on Monday, Jan. 14, advised the heads of different contingents to be prepared, following the weather burea Pagasa’s announcement that Central and Eastern Visayas would be affected by a weak low-pressure area east of Mindanao.

According to Barry Luche, 43, head choreographer of Tribu Kandaya of Daanbantayan, it won’t be the first time for them to perform in the rain.

“Last year, it rained while we danced on the streets. So we got wet. But it’s a commitment. Whether it’s sunny or it’s raining, we’re doing this as an offering to the Holy Child,” he said in Cebuano.

Tribu Kandaya is the defending champion in the free-interpretation category. The group, which has 100 dancers and 185 propsmen, will perform a sarimanok-inspired dance.

“It will all be up to the Sto. Niño. But we will dance as long as our costumes keep their feathers. We will wear waterproof makeup to guard against sweat and rain. The makeup can be retouched during the lunch break and when we arrive at the venue,” he said in Cebuano.

Noah Rosales, 19, who had been dancing in the Sinulog since 2016, said his makeup would be the least of his worries.

“We’ll just continue to dance if it rains. I mean, it’s not as if we can stop in the middle of our dance. Makeup does not matter as long as you present well and as long as you offer it to Sto. Niño,” he said.

Sapphire Garton, the 17-year-old festival queen of Tribu Kandaya, said she was looking forward to the big day.

“Yes. I am very ready. As it’s for the Sto. Niño, it does not matter if we get wet or not. We just put our hearts and soul into our dance whatever the weather will be,” she said.

Jonathan Bercero, 54, chairman of the props committee and engineering of Sining Sto. Niño Folkloric Dance Troupe of the City of Bogo, or Tribu Bogo, said they incorporated materials that could withstand both extreme heat and heavy rain in their props.

He also made sure their musical instruments were in good condition.

Tribu Bogo’s concept revolves around how the present generation can maximize the use of the latest technology and gadgets to communicate their faith to the Sto, Niño.

The group will compete in the Sinulog-based, elementary category.