Monday, December 11, 2006 Summit, Sinulog kick-off overlap
SOME activities for the Sinulog will coincide with high-level meetings of Southeast Asian leaders, if the proposed schedule of the postponed Asean summit is approved.
While this opens the doors to greater international exposure for Cebu’s signature festival, it will also test to the hilt the Asean summit and Sinulog festival organizers’ security, traffic and crowd control preparations.
“The initial feeling was disappointment, but as reality sank in, the postponement somehow feels like a blessing in disguise,” Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said by text message.
“If held on the days prior to the Sinulog, it will surely be a great opportunity to promote to the world the country’s biggest festival.”
Summit organizers proposed yesterday to hold the Southeast Asian leaders’ gatherings from Jan. 11 to 14, just when local hotels start to get fully booked for the Sinulog festival.
“We will have to work around this,” said Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. of the National Organizing Committee.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he will not allow the Sinulog celebration to be adjusted to the summit’s schedule.
“We have sacrificed enough. We will not depend on the Asean kay lisod nga hasta ang Sinulog affected pa,” said Rama, the foundation’s overall chairman.
A novena that starts the religious side of the annual festivity is scheduled on Jan. 11. The next day, the Sinulog will be launched with a mini-parade from the Basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center, which usually requires that traffic be rerouted.
On Jan. 13 is the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan followed by the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan the next day.
Sinulog Foundation executive director Ricky Ballesteros acknowledged, though, the international exposure the Asean could give to the Sinulog celebration.
Ballesteros said the usual trade fair along Osmeña Blvd. was intentionally delayed to Dec. 15 because of the Asean, which was originally scheduled from Dec. 11 to 14.
The fair usually opens on Dec. 1.
Ballesteros said that since he is also involved in the production of the Laag-Laag sa Sugbo, the Cebu City tour of the Asean leaders’ spouses, he will have to explain the trade fair to the visitors.
“They just have to make the product presentation better,” he said.
Rama will meet within the week with Sinulog Foundation officials to discuss the effects of the Asean’s postponement on the Sinulog, Cebu City’s top tourist attraction.
Compared to previous years, this year’s Sinulog will have more Cebu landmarks presented in montages along the carousel route, he said. (RHM/AAG)
