Visitors from sister-cities enjoy Sinulog, distribute assistance

TWO of Cebu City’s sister-cities made sure they hit two birds with one stone. Officials from Haarlemeermeer, the Netherlands and Yeosu, Korea were in Cebu City for business but also found time for the Sinulog.

Yeosu, Korea was impressed by how the celebration unites Cebuanos.

Kang Byung-Suk of Yeosu Global Charity Association didn’t know that most of the members of the Cebu City Council did not drop by the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Center, where most officials usually stay.

Only Councilors Lea Japson, Alvin Dizon, Michael Ralota and John Philip Po II briefly dropped by the grandstand. Reps. Tomas Osmeña and Rachel Marguerite del Mar walked around the city and Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. joined basketball players from Barako Bull, leading the team’s float.

“I’m impressed that this is the biggest festival in the world and with the preparation, people get together. The celebration unites people,” said Byung-Suk.

For Jantine Abbring Ittmann of the Harlemeermeer delegation, she was greatly impressed by the people’s veneration of the Sr. Sto. Niño.

“There is so much work done. We can see that there is a lot of devotion to the Sto. Niño,” said Ittmann.

Haarlemeermeer’s delegation of 10 members were here for two weeks. They are leaving tonight.

The delegation turned over medical equipment and a fire truck to the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf).

It also gave the town of Barili school and agriculture equipment.

The Haarlemeermeer delegation was also exposed to the children living in Carreta cemetery through the organization of Fr. Max Abalos.

Yeosu, the sister-city delegation, was in Cebu for a medical mission, the fourth in two years.

It was also Byung-Suk’s second Sinulog.

Today, Yeosu will also have a turnover ceremony for a fire truck capable of carrying five tons of load.

The fire truck is not yet available as Cebu City still needs to work on the documentation.

Also in the audience was the delegation from Yokohama, Japan, which is a partner of Cebu City in the Urbanization and Sustainable Environmental Development program.