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Wednesday, January 14, 2004
FPJ, not GMA, due in Cebu for Sinulog fiesta
By Linette C. Ramos
CEBU -- Expect Sinulog 2004 to be not just a Cebu-wide fiesta celebration but also a festival of politicians and pickpockets, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeņa warned.
Although President Arroyo decided not to attend the Sinulog festivities, the mayor is expecting to have a lot of aspiring senators and politicians this weekend.
The public can also expect to see movie actor and presidential aspirant Fernando Poe Jr., who has already made reservations at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
"The streets will surely be very crowded that is why I would like to alert the public, all pickpockets in the Philippines will be in Cebu over the weekend, so please be careful with your valuables. I bet they are all here already," Osmeņa said.
"Beware of Pickpocket" signs will be posted all over Cebu City, the mayor said, "because there's only so much that we can do. We don't know how they look like."
Osmeņa told reporters Tuesday that the President wanted to be here, but she is worried that the people might misunderstand her visit as politicking.
"Expect a lot of senatoriables also, even FPJ might come because as early as now he has already reserved hotel rooms at the Waterfront," he said in press conference.
A big delegation of government officials from Tagaytay City in Cavite confirmed their attendance during the grand parade on Sunday.
Tagaytay's local officials, including members of the City Council and department heads, will be at the Cebu City Sports Center to watch the parade, possibly in preparation for their participation next year, the mayor said.
Cebu City will also have as guests all the barangay captains from Tangub City in Misamis Occidental.
Osmeņa said he will host dinner for the delegation from Tabgub as a way of thanking the officials for their continued support and participation in the Sinulog.
As honorary sultan of Cebu, the mayor invited Muslim communities to participate as a contingent in the parade and assured them of his support, but the Muslim groups declined the offer.
Osmeņa said the Muslim leaders are already happy with the construction of their own cemetery and would just forego any contribution to the parade.
The mayor said it would be good to have the Muslims showcase their colorful garments, which is usually used by the female lead dancers in the Sinulog.
(January 14, 2004 issue)
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