Leyte contingents to skip Sinulog 2014

WITH extensive rehabilitation work needed in their localities, contingents from at least seven towns and cities in Leyte, Samar and northern Cebu are expected to miss the Sinulog festivities in January. Officials of Alang-Alang town in Leyte already called the Sinulog organizers and informed them of their decision that they will not push through with their plan to join the grand parade. Alang-Alang, the defending champion in the free interpretation category, was among the towns hit hard by typhoon Yolanda.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said he understands that towns and cities hit by typhoon Yolanda need to focus their efforts and resources on recovery and rehabilitation.

Tone down: Ballesteros said they may have to tone down the Sinulog 2014 activities and reduce the cost of staging the grand parade in consideration of the neighboring towns and provinces hit by calamities recently. He said they have been getting inquiries if there will be a Sinulog this January following the typhoon and earthquake that hit the Visayas.

“Definitely, we will have a Sinulog. We still have to ask the executive committee what their plans are in light of the recent events. Of course, we have to consider the plight of our neighbors so we may tone it down a bit. We will adjust,” Ballesteros told Sun.Star Cebu.

Cost: The Sinulog 2013 activities cost P37 million to stage, with P22 million coming from the Cebu City Government. Every year, revelers look forward to the performance of out-of-town contingents, which usually bring home the grand prize. They spend at least P1 million for costumes, props and their fare to get to Cebu. Last Friday, an official of Alang-Alang town went to the SFI office to ask for any help the foundation can give, saying the extent of the damage to the town was immense.

Aside from Alang-Alang, Ballesteros said he also expects Dulag, Abuyog and Tanawan towns in Leyte and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban to forego the Sinulog. Abuyog is a two-time winner in the free interpretation category. They are also not expecting Borongan, Eastern Samar to send a contingent, as well as Bayawan in Negros Oriental, which experienced flashfloods recently.

Except for Panglao, other towns in Bohol that were affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake are also not likely to join the Sinulog.

“After what happened, we’re not expecting them to join anymore. Sayang because these contingents are contenders for the grand prize. They are really good but we also have to understand their circumstances,” Ballesteros said.