Tuesday, December 23, 2008 Fireworks display contest scheduled for Sinulog eve
FOR the first time in the 29-year history of the Sinulog, Cebuanos and visitors will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display competition the night before the grand parade on Jan. 18.
Also, Lumad Basaka-non of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, the Sinulog’s two-time defending champion in the free interpretation category, will have an opportunity at redemption after losing in Tacloban City last June.
Tacloban’s Pintados bested Basakanon during the Sangyaw Festival, which was participated in by three contingents.
The defeat left a sour taste in the mouth of Barangay Captain George Rama, who said they expected the city’s contingent to be declared the winner, hinting a hometown decision.
Lumad Basakanon, though, brought home the best in costume and best in street dancing awards despite failing to capture the grand prize.
Aside from its Sinulog exploits, the contingent has gained nationwide fame after it won in the Aliwan festival, considered the mother of all festivals in the country, for three straight years starting in 2006.
On the other hand, Tangub City’s Sinanduloy, which Sun.Star Cebu reported last Sept. 16 as unsure of joining the 2009 Sinulog, will also be back to likewise redeem itself.
Second
Sinanduloy failed to get a fourth straight first place finish in the Sinulog-based (SB) category after Alcoy, which was third in the same category in 2007, took the top spot this year, relegating Sinanduloy to second place.
Sinanduloy is already an icon and much-anticipated contingent in the Sinulog.
Choreographer Jojen Pascual had said that Tangub City is hosting a regional meet in April so it might not be able to devote resources to form a Sinulog contingent.
But Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said he and SFI project director Dolores Suzara visited Tangub also last September and were able to convince Mayor Jennifer Chan to have Sinanduloy still join the Sinulog.
Tangub, he said, will even hold an exhibit at the SM mall starting Jan. 9, the launching of the 2009 Sinulog Grand Parade.
Exhibit
Tangub will exhibit the different costumes of its dancers in the 17 years that it has participated in the Sinulog.
“Gawas sa (Apart from the) costumes nga gisul-ob og mga (they wore and the) mannequins, naa say (there will be) dolls nga gisul-oban gihapon sa mga (that will wear) costumes. Tangub will also have a series of performances in SM,” Ballesteros said.
He said SM volunteered to shoulder the prizes for the fireworks display competition, which will be participated in by suppliers from all over the country, notably those from Bulacan.
He said Cebu will be represented by Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City. Bohol and Negros Oriental, he added, will also be represented.
Ballesteros said the fireworks display will be judged according to the design, colors and timing to an accompanying music.
The contest will be held in front of the SM North-wing and will be open to the public.
“This is something to watch out for, being the first time to happen in Cebu,” Ballesteros said. (RHM)
