THE Sinulog Grand Parade 2018 officially opened on Sunday, January 21.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena officially declared the celebration open around 11 a.m., with the entry of the Cebu City Government's contingent. A mass, presided by Fr. Boy Alesna, was held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) before the grand parade.
Here are some photos of the floats, puppets, and dancers from inside the CCSC and on the Sinulog Grand Parade route.
Fire Chief Inspector Paul Laude plays the saxophone to the tune of the Sinulog hymn in reverence to the Señor Sto. Niño on top of the float of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) -Central Visayas.
Laude is the team leader of the group of firefighters who braved the inside of the Metro Ayala Department Store and Supermarket which was razed down last January 5.
Cebu K9–Crowd Control Volunteers also stood guard together with their pack of Dutch Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute bomb-sniffing dogs in the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
On the video is their vice president Ronde Cortez who said that they are part of the security for the Sinulog to keep it a safe celebration to the Cebuaños.
Cortez said that is it their service to the Holy Child, Señor Sto. Niño for three years now.
Newly-installed Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas Director Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery on the security assessment prior to the official declaration of the start of the Sinulog.
Quenery said that the security detail are in place and that as of now, the Sinulog festivities are still generally peaceful.
The regional director said that the Philippine Air Force also deployed choppers who are conducting aerial survey to communicate on the ground in regards to the security on land.
(SunStar Philippines)