MEMBERS of the public are advised to travel early on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, as they may experience traffic congestion due to the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo taking place on the same day at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Around 950 Cebu City and provincial police personnel will be deployed to secure the cultural event.
The Cebu City Transportation Office has issued a re-routing scheme, which will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday. It will end at 2 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.
Some roads will be used for the parade.
The 178 contingents will also station their props in other streets.
Councilor David Tumulak said only a few lanes will be closed.
Traffic congestion is expected to take place on the portions of R. Duterte St. and on V. Rama Ave. as the contingents’ 178 service buses will pass by these areas.
The buses will drop the contingents off at the assembly point on M. Velez St.
On Saturday dawn, Aug. 24, the participants are expected to set up their props along P. Del Rosario St., Osmeña Blvd. and Alcantara St.
Among the participants in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which returns after a six-year hiatus, is the Talisay City contingent—known for its fluidity and charm during the Sinulog Festival.
Last January, the city bagged its sixth grand prize award for the 2019 Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.
It also ranked third in the Sinulog-based category during the grand parade.
Talisay moved the audience and the judges by taking them to a journey into the afterlife and the huge backdrop of tombs, a coffin and large funeral wreaths made the presentation more enthralling.
Fans of Talisay, though, will not have to wait for a few more months to witness them on stage again.
The city is one of 44 component towns and cities that will compete on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in the comeback of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
A flagship tourism and culture program of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia during her earlier stint, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is an annual exhibition of festivals participated by towns and component cities in the province.
But unlike its Sinulog stages, Talisay City is keeping its presentation close to home as it pays homage and tribute to its patroness, St. Teresa de Avila through the Inasal Festival.
Mikie Aznar, assistant tourism officer, said around 200 dancers and props men will showcase Talisay’s famous “lechon” (roasted pig) with their colorful costumes and props.
The contingents will compose of students from the Talisay City College.
Aside from the presentation, spectators at the Cebu City Sports Center will also get to enjoy a bite of the famous lechon from Talisay.
Around P2 million was spent for the presentation, P500,000 of which was a financial subsidy from the Provincial Government.
Aznar said Talisay’s entry for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo will also serve as its prelude for the celebration of the Inasal Festival in October.
The staging of the festival, which started in 2005, was stopped in 2013 during the administration of former Mayor Johnny De Los Reyes. (JJL, WBS, from FMD of SuperBalita Cebu, RTF)