Monday, January 28, 2008 Neri: Postscript to the Sinulog week By Nelia G. Neri eve
CEBU was “bursting at the seams” not only with visitors, but also with all kinds of activities during the Sinulog week. Yes, it definitely was one super festive week in the dear old town.
Exhibits of varied Sto. Niño images were all over town. Collectors like Msgr. Chris Garcia, Msgr. Carlito Pono, Val Sandiego, Louie Nacorda, Lourdes Jereza and others shared their precious images with the public. There were exhibits at the Cathedral Museum, at Ayala Center, at SM, at St. Theresa’s College and yes, even at Marco Polo Plaza. Viewing the Holy Child with His different titles was awe-inspiring!
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The festival queens from the numerous Sinulog participants provided glamour and added color to the grand parade. Winsome all, the star dancers were the cynosure of all eyes, especially those of the winning contingents like Lumad Basaknon, Alcoy, and Carmen (see photos above).
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The entertainment scene was pulsating. Popular performers like Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby, Pilita Corrales, local talents at the Cebu Pop Music Festival, dance troupes from different schools, bands, and more, perked up the city.
Over at the Marco Polo Plaza ballroom, singing diva Kuh Ledesma and daughter Isabella (she’s definitely a chip off the old block) took centerstage along with Cebu-based singer Chad Borja.
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Food festivals galore focused on native favorites. However Marco Polo Plaza events and promotion manager Carlo Borromeo zeroed in on Cebuano specialties and asked the help of kitchen queen Jessica Avila who is an authority on Cebuano cooking. And so the buffet at Cafe Marco offered an array of traditional Cebuano viands and desserts.
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Sinulog visitors came from near and far. Yes, it’s the panaad (vow) to the Sto. Niño that motivates them.
Marilyn Pilapil Rosario from Los Baños, Laguna, arrived just in the nick of time from an extended trip to the USA. She gathered fellow devotees for lunch at Lemon Grass, among them balikbayans Gilda Scott from Hawaii, Fely Labating from California and Jeanie Deatherage from Ohio.
Other USA balikbayans we met were Dr. Romeo and Azon Ouano from Florida; David and Maki (Garcia) Evans from Pennsylvania; Larry and Aya (Garcia) Schlacter from New York; Pablito Kintanar, Pete and Lydia Juezan, Lydio and Thelma Zamora, and Mark Tayo from California.
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Ludabi (or Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya) held its annual convention at Casino Español on the feastday of the Sto. Niño. The theme was “Ang Sinugboanong Pinulongan sa Kalibutan sa mga Batan-on.” Convention director Arleigh Sitoy said that the activity was timed to coincide with the golden anniversary celebration of the group. Among the speakers was our good friend Manuel Lino G. Faelnar, director and treasurer of the Defenders of the Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago.
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NOTES:
Coming up at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on Feb. 6, is a grand celebration to usher in the Chinese New Year. Dubbed Fire in the Sky 2008, the big do will feature Chinese cultural dances, a Wushu martial arts exhibition, and of course the traditional lion and dragon dances. Yes, a spectacular fireworks display is definitely on the agenda.
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As part of the 2008 Philippine Arts Month Celebration, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, FIT, UP Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing, and the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation, will bring to Cebu a series of lectures and conferences dubbed Pagpupugay: Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Literato, on Feb. 12, at the Marcelo B. Fernan Press Center. Special lecturer is the 1999 National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo.
