A PARADE of dancers from different schools, 54 beauty pageant candidates and 180 street children in bright shirts were some of the sights seen during the opening salvo of the Sinulog 2020 in Cebu City on Friday afternoon, January 10, 2020.

Mayor Edgardo Labella declared the start of the annual cultural activities in honor of the Holy Child at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Before the parade took place, Msgr. Roberto Alesna had officiated a Mass at the Basilica’s Pilgrim Center.

Joining Labella in the two-hour-long parade were City Administrator Floro Casas Jr., City Attorney Rey Gealon, department heads, the mayor’s brother Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Elmer Labella, and Councilors Joel Garganera and Raymond Alvin Garcia.

A first in the opening salvo was the parade of street children dubbed as “Sinulog sa Palaboy,” which let them experience the festive mood.

Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Colonel Engelbert Soriano said no major untoward incident happened during the opening salvo.

Labella urged locals and tourists to experience the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, January 19. (PAC, KAL)