AFTER the successful staging of the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown, Mayor Michael Rama said that next year’s festivities will still be held at the South Road Properties (SRP).
“Why not? Daghan kaayo og lugar sa (There are still several venues here in) SRP,” Rama told SunStar Cebu on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
Rama also expressed his appreciation that the weather on Sunday turned out fine after the intermittent weather over the past few days.
According to the mayor, what happened on Sunday was a testament of faith to the Señor Sto. Niño.
Rama joined his wife Malou in dancing the traditional Sinulog dance on the stage during the opening part of the grand parade.
A total of 16 contingents performed on Sunday — five Sinulog-based contingents and 11 free interpretation contingents including the South Korean guest performers.
Meanwhile, 40 floats joined the parade with the participation of eight higantes and six puppeteers.
The grand parade concluded at 8 p.m. with a 10-minute grand fireworks display.
Surigao del Norte’s Omega de Salonera won big-time in the Sinulog 2023 as it was named champion in two of the festival’s major categories -- ritual showdown (free interpretation) and street dancing.
Barangay Inayawan’s Talent Guild and Cultural Group was also named champion in the ritual showdown’s Sinulog-based category, as well as in Best in Musicality.
Omega de Salonera also won the Best in Costume award (free interpretation), while the Inayawan Talent Guild and Cultural Group took home the same title in the Sinulog-based category.
In an interview, Mark Ivan Quiban, choreographer of Omega de Salonera, thanked the Province of Surigao del Norte for the support and Senor Sto. Niño for their win.
“Salamat sa tanan labi na sa Ginoo nga mao ra gyud ang nag giya kanamo. Walay dancer nga naaksidente o naluya tungod kay nisalig kami sa Ginoo nga magmalampuson kami sa among pagsalmot diri sa contest. Salamat gyud sa tanan, labi na ni Balaang Bata, Señor Sto. Niño,” he said.
He added that Sunday’s victory was his biggest achievement as a choreographer.
“This is my first time to join the Sinulog. I started as a choreographer in Surigao del Norte in 2016, but this is my biggest achievement as a choreographer,” Quibna said in Bisaya.
Quiban won P50,000 for being the choreographer of Omega de Salonera, while the contingent bagged the P1 million grand prize. (IRT, LMY)