FOR the first time, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) extended an additional cash subsidy of P100,000 to the 30 dancing contingents that will be performing in the grand parade tomorrow.
The amount is on top of the P300,000 financial subsidy that the City Government has given them, said Ricky Ballesteros, SFI executive director.
“Dugay na na siya giplanohan (We’ve been planning to do this for a long time), but we were still looking for funds until naa na mi nakitan na (we found a) source. Most of the contingents are barangays and nakita nato (we saw) how expensive it is to come up with a contingent,” he told reporters.
Ballesteros said the additional aid was sourced out from sponsors of the Sinulog celebration.
He said that most of the contingents only have enough money to fund their presentations.
Budget constraints were among the reasons contingents from the Barangay Mayor’s Office of Lahug and Cogon Pardo withdrew from the competition.
A simple presentation reportedly cost at least P500,000.
The contingent from the Talisay City Central Elementary School already spent around P6.7 million and is expected to spend more, according to the team’s choreographer Marvey Caño.
An average costume costs P1,000, while most intricately-designed ensembles cost up to P6,000.
Ballesteros said some choreographers charge up to P80,000. Instrumentalists, on the other hand, are paid between P50,000 and P80,000.
He also pointed out logistic expenses and meals for delegates and performers.
The SFI executive director, though, clarified that prior to the launching of the Fiesta Señor celebration, choreographers and coordinators were already aware of the expenses.
“The choreographers gave me a breakdown and we understand them. The SFI saw that they really needed our help, especially the barangays. The barangays now can’t spend for cultural activities, unless they have sponsors,” he said.
Some 12 contingents will be performing under the Sinulog-based category, while 18 will be joining the Free-Interpretation category.
Around 27 higantes, eight puppeteers and 50 floats will also join the grand parade.
Sinulog-based defending champion Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City is expected to perform as a guest. Other guest performers include the Cebu Provincial Government and the Sandiego Dance Company.