Some rain, traffic, spectacular dances

A BIT of rain is expected. A tough competition among dancing contingents is all but guaranteed.

With their new concept and colorful production, the defending champions in last year’s Sinulog grand parade will face a challenge, as those they had defeated vowed to win in today’s contest.

As early as 3 a.m. today, vehicles were scheduled to be rerouted because the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) will close several roads for the Sinulog grand parade, which may last until 7 p.m.

To minimize traffic congestion, Citom advised motorists, drivers, and other road users to follow traffic signs in the rerouted areas.

Spectators were advised to bring umbrellas.

Cloudy weather with sunny intervals and occasional light to moderate rains in Cebu City is today’s forecast, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Ella Comahig, weather observer at Pagasa’s Mactan, Cebu station, said the temperature will range from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius.

Comeback

Whatever the weather, the competition is expected to be heated, especially for last year’s winners: Culturanong Placereño of Placer, Masbate for the Sinulog-based (SB) category and Tribu Lingganay of Alang-alang, Leyte for the free interpretation category.

In an interview yesterday, Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City said they have worked hard so they will earn again the top spot in the grand parade.

They lost to Placer, a first-timer in the SB category last year. Tangub would have made a grand slam.

“We prepared a lot in order to get that crown back. We know they also prepared because they are the defending champions, but we are ready,” said Edgar Acapulco, trainer of Tangub, the most awarded contingent in the history of Sinulog.

Tangub is a 10-time champion in the SB category and a three-time grand slam title holder.

Acapulco said Tangub’s performance today will again give importance to history by focusing on the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

“We will show them what the Basilica was before, from the start of its construction until what it is now,” he said.

Stepping up

Lanao del Norte, on the other hand, will be stepping up their performance in this year’s competition after Alang-alang defeated them in the free interpretation category last year.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said Lanao’s performance is among those that people might want to watch out for, since they had Barry Luche as their choreographer.

Luche has worked for the past five years with Tribu Himag-ulaw, which is Placer’s contingent in the FI. They had also won in the past several years.

Luche, in a separate interview said their routine today, which will have colorful props, will focus on Lanao’s sarimanok festival.

“With our performance, we are ready to beat other contingents,” he said.

Alang-alang, though, is hoping that they will win for the second time in the FI category.

Alang-alang Mayor Loreto Yu said they also worked hard to defend their title. Their performance will showcase their famous golden bell.

“We are aiming to win and later earn a grand slam title,” he said.

P1M prize

Those who will earn the top spot in today’s Sinulog grand parade competition will earn P1 million.

With parties expected to follow the end of the parade, traffic is bound to get tied up well into the night.

In its advisory, the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) office said all motor vehicles coming from Tabunok, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando and Carcar headed for the NRA are advised to use the coastal road, proceed to the tunnel in the South Road Properties (SRP) and then to their destinations.

For those who want to avoid traffic in the downtown area, Citom said parking space for private vehicles is provided for free at the SRP.

“Jeepneys are available for passengers going to and from Compañia Maritima Building across City Hall, for a minimum fare,” said Citom.

Other passenger jeepneys that have been rerouted are those coming from Mandaue City, jeepneys with route no. 08E, 08F, 08G, 09A, 09B, 09G, 09H, 10G, 10K, 11A, 09C, 09F, 10C, 10D, 11D,  and jeepneys bound for SM City Cebu and the North Reclamation Area (NRA).

Also rerouted are jeepneys from Pier Area, Labangon, and Urgello St.