BALIKBAYANS were welcomed with warmth and joy at the annual Balik Cebu Welcome Fiesta: Balikbayan Dinner & Cultural Show held last Jan. 16, Thursday at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu.
The night’s entertainment was a diverse presentation in celebration of the Sinulog Festival; one of which depicted Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation along with the Sinulog Dance to cap off the evening. Part of the lineup included the Marawi Kulintangan Ensemble, Regla Percussionista, Rona Jen Lofranco–Cañete and Balitaw Singers Adeline Tayam and Max Sabikil. For a more interactive experience, guests were invited to come up on the stage to join in on the Sinulog Dance.
“Most of you may have traveled quite the distance but we hope this evening celebration of faith and culture will remind you of the old traditions that will truly welcome you home to Cebu,” said Cebu Holdings, Inc. president Jun Bisnar during his welcome remarks. “Tonight, we will have a special show which will serve as a prelude to the commemoration of the 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines next year.”
The celebration was attended by the city’s officials, personalities and, most importantly, the balikbayans from all corners of the world including places like New York, London, Australia, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Hong Kong. Everyone came together to indulge in that “Cebu experience” by celebrating the festival with Filipino fare and vibrant performances shared among kababayans.