Rama hoping to get same support from local mayors
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has expressed his gratitude to fellow mayors outside Cebu for the support they extended in ensuring the success of the Grand Sinulog Festival at the South Road Properties (SRP) this Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
At the same time, Rama said he hopes to get the same support from fellow Cebuano local officials stressing how they should unite for Sto. Nino.
Rama has earlier expressed hope that mayors of contingents that won the Sinulog sa Lalawigan last Sunday would change their minds and let their contingents compete in the grand ritual showdown.
The mayors of the local government units from the Province of Cebu has reportedly decided not to let their contingents compete at the SRP due to safety concerns.
Gov. Gwen Garcia have also earlier denied that it was her decision to have the winning contingents skip the grand showdown as it was the decision of the chief executives themselves. Garcia has been stern though in her stand to have the Sinulog at the CCSC instead.
During the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, which was organized by the provincial government, Rama showed up saying that aside from being the mayor of Cebu City, he is also the overall chairman of all the Sinulog 2024 activities and chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated’s Board of Trustees.
Rama expressed his gratitude to Gov. Garcia for the valuable contribution to the Sinulog through the Sinulog sa Lalawigan.
Prior to that, Rama had also expressed his gratitude to all the mayors all over the country for sending their messages of support for the Sinulog, as well as for him as their president of the League of Cities of the Philippines.
“I thank all the mayors all over the Philippines showing their support, and I thank mayors of Cebu showing their support,” Rama said.
Among the mayors who have sent their Sinulog video messages so far include Dapitan City’s Bullet Jalosjos; Jane Yap of Tagbilaran City; Nikko Mercado of Maasin; Edgar Lignes of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; Baby Armi Alvarez of Munoz; Rex Jalando-on of La Carlota; Ronnie Dadivas of Roxas; John Dalipe of Zamboanga City; Pepe Orlino of Tanjay; and Malou Flores-Murillo of Calapan.
Aside from that, Dumaguete City and Canlaon in Negros Oriental; San Jose, Dinagat Island province; and Bacolod City will be sending contingents this Sunday.
Of the four, Bacolod’s Masskara festival will join as guest performers alongside a contingent from South Korea, while the rest will be competing.
After the successful staging of both the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbyan and Lalawigan, Rama also looks forward to any contribution the other cities of Cebu can offer.
“Unsay inyong mabuhat from the province, unsay mabuhat sa four cities-Talisay, Mandaue, LapuLapu-and Cebu City, with all the independent, component cities and municipalities with the mayors around, will always benefit us all,” Rama said.
Rama went further by saying that in the name of Sto. Niño, they should be united.
“In the name of Sto. Niño, we should not be divided. In the name of the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño, there is only one Cebu and this is all of us. Kita ang Sugbo, kita ang nag naghatag og kinabuhi sa fiesta ug ang naghatag natog kinabuhi mao si Sr. Sto. Niño,” said Mayor Rama.
Meanwhile, a few hours after the conclusion of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, Rama had another walk-through at the SRP and the other areas around the venue of the final showdown.
The mayor ordered more lights plants and ornaments to beautify the city. He also wants the Cebu City Transportation Office to provide updates on alternative and access roads.
Aside from the SRP, Rama also ordered City Hall personnel to ensure that comfort rooms at the City Hall are clean 24/7 with water and basic toiletries available for the devotees and visitors of the Sinulog.
SINULOG SA LALAWIGAN SUCCESS
For her part, Gov. Garcia takes pride in what she calls as “world-class” performances from all the contingents who joined the Sinulog sa Lalawigan at the CCSC last Sunday.
After thanking Sr. Sto. Niño for blessing the event with good weather amidst the threats of rain, Garcia in an interview with reporters after the event, thanked the mayors and their contingents for their performances despite the short notice and less time to practice for some.
“Atong mga mayors, all out! Others only eight days. Normally binuwan just to prepare. But look at what you saw, world class!” Governor Garcia said.
The governor shared that before the event proper, she told Mayors under Cebu Province and the rest to show the rest of the world how Cebuanos celebrate Sinulog.
The governor went on by saying that the magic word is “level up!”
Along with this, Governor Garcia said the Sinulog sa Lalawigan is expected to improve further in the future.
“Kung nindot na ron, pwerteng ninduta ana sa sunod, saka na pud. Sige ug saka and that’s the only way that we will be able to keep on working for excellence and raising the bar,” Garcia said.
Garcia also thanked the Cebuanos in general especially those who came to witness the event even as they went beyond the seating capacity of the CCSC, it was “orderly, walay duso-duso, walay samok,” the governor said.