DESPITE the cancelled physical activities, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) and the festival steering committee said people can look forward to this year’s Sinulog Festival on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 as they have prepared a “virtual Sinulog.”
SFI executive committee member Neil Odchigue said that on Sunday, the public will have a glimpse of the past, as well as Sinulog ritual performances from other countries in a program to be aired through several online platforms.
A collection of videos of Sinulog performances as old as those taken in 1982 will be included in the virtual program along with footage of other performances done in the last 40 years. The Sinulog grand parade started in 1981.
The virtual program on Jan. 17 can be viewed on SFI’s official webpage sinulog.ph, its YouTube channel, and its Facebook page.
The program will also air on MyTV and CCTN in Cebu and some TV channels in Mindanao, Odchigue said.
“We gathered pictures, footage. In fact, we’ve converted VHS files to DVD files just to make sure we deliver a wonderful presentation,” said Odchigue.
‘Halad’
Odchigue said some Filipino communities abroad also submitted entries for the virtual Sinulog event.
He said the entries are under the “halad” or offering category.
Odchigue said the SFI received at least six entries from Las Vegas, New York, Portugal, and Taiwan.
He said aside from these, the 10-hour virtual program will highlight the “halad” performance of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, as well as champion “higantes,” puppeteers, and floats in the previous years as
well as the Best of Cebu showcasing Cebuano musical talents, fashion, and other performing arts.
Odchigue said the virtual program will begin with a Holy Mass at 9 a.m. with only 20 people allowed to physically attend the mass.
Messages from Cebu City officials will be shown in the virtual program.
The program will end at 7 p.m. and will conclude with video of fireworks displays from the previous years.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, lead convenor of Sinulog 2021, said this year’s Sinulog will enlighten the younger generation on the festival’s rich history.
Meanwhile, SFI executive director Elmer Labella said the SFI pushed through with the annual Sinulog Festival Queen competition on Friday, Jan. 15, with only 10 candidates.
The other events held by the SFI this year were Sinulog Idol held Jan. 10 which only showcased the champions of the previous Sinulog Idol competitions; the ‘See Cebu in Carousell’ launching showcasing the tourist spots in Cebu through posters along Osmeña Blvd.; and the Sinulog virtual workshops.