Binay, senators join Sinulog
-A A +ASunday, January 15, 2012
CEBU CITY (Updated 12 p.m.) -- Vice President Jejomar Binay took the time off from his busy schedule to join thousands of people for the Sinulog Grand Parade 2012.
Binay, who went onstage shortly before lunch, greeted the revelers who packed the Cebu City Sports Center with “Pit Señor”, referring to today’s feast of the holy image of Sto. Niño.
The Cebu City Government also invited President Benigno Aquino III for the festivities but was unable to attend due to prior engagements.
Aside from Binay, others who attended the event are Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, former Senators Francisco “Kit” Tatad and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Spotted at the venue as well are Representative Rachel del Mar of the city’s north district and her father former Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, and Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Petilla.
But the spotlight belonged to the 151 contingents who slug it out for the P1-million top purse. So far, 16 schools have performed for the competition here at the Cebu City Sports Center as of 12 p.m.
Meanwhile, policemen were positioned in areas where a large crowd is expected to gather such as the grandstand and the sports center.
Prior to the competition, a parade of floats and large puppets mark the 5.3-kilometer carousel route. Major chokepoints include the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, General Maxilom Avenue and the sports center itself.
Cebu, the “Queen City of the South,” was recently declared by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a City of Culture.
The “Cebu City as Asean City of Culture” marker is located at the Talamban Family Park, the same spot where the marker of the 12th Asean Summit in 2007 was placed.
The naming of Cebu City as an Asean City of Culture is in line with the declaration of the Philippines as the Asean Culture Capital for 2010 to 2011.
Cebu is the 10th Philippine city to be given the title Asean City of Culture, after Manila, Angono in Rizal, Tarlac City, Angeles City in Pampanga, Batangas City, Roxas in Capiz, Tagbilaran in Bohol, Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, and Dapitan in Zamboanga.
These cities were selected based in the history and the creative craftsmanship of their people. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
Local news
Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!
