Cebu City Civil and Church officials pose for posterity after their coordination meeting for the celebration of the Quincentennial Anniversary of the Arrival of Christianity in the Philippines (photo by Sammy Navaja)
Organizers of the Quincentennial Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines discuss the possibility of allowing Sinulog 2021 contingents to perform at the said national event.
Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama, in a press conference Thursday, said Sinulog organizers have been in talks with the Archdiocese of Cebu to involve Sinulog dancers to be part of the different activities of the Quincentennial celebrations.
Due to the pandemic, church officials altered the calendar of activities of the quincentennial celebrations which will start in April 2021 and end in April 2022.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has allowed Cebu City to celebrate the Sinulog side-by-side with the quincentennial activities, Rama said.
Rama added that talks would continue after the Hubo Mass on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.
“Let us not forget the Sinulog in our celebration of the 500 year (quincentennial anniversary),” Rama said in Cebuano.
Contingents who did not perform during the Sinulog are reportedly “prioritized” to perform during the year-long celebration.
Sinulog dancers are hopeful that the plan would push through for them to receive the P300,000 subsidy promised by Cebu City.
Most of the members of the contingent are in debt after organizers decided to cancel the Sinulog Grand Parade and Showdown days before the Sto. Niño feast due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – Ryan Sorote