No politicos allowed during Sinulog

Organizers of the Sinulog celebration next year are making it a point not to involve politicians in the celebration.

Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., said many politicians have already expressed interest in participating in the festivities in one form or another, especially to put up streamers along the parade route.

“We don’t want Sinulog to become a venue for politics, especially since election is coming. We will focus on the festival,” Ballesteros told Cebu Daily News.

Also, the foundation would not solicit donations from politicians to help fund the event, although voluntary donations would still be accepted and acknowledged, Ballesteros said.

“They are still welcome to watch the Sinulog, but no speeches,” he added.

In respect to their participation in the Sinulog celebrations in the past years, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City first lady Margot Osmeña would be allowed to participate in the festivities, although organizers would not openly invite them.

Garcia is seeking reelection in the 2010 elections, while Margot is running for a seat in the City Council.

Garcia has traditionally led one of the contingents from Cebu Province.

Osmeña usually performs in the celebration’s grand finale.

“That’s already the tradition because she is the first lady. She has been dancing for 20 years, and she is the most appropriate personality to portray the role of Queen Juana, being the first lady of Cebu,” Ballesteros said.

Even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may not get a personal invitation to witness the celebration.

“We usually invite the President, but maybe this time, we won’t send her an invitation,” said the foundation executive director.

Ballesteros said Sinulog 2010 would be “different” from past celebrations, since it would be the festival’s 30th anniversary, having been institutionalized in 1980.

Sinulog 2010 will have the theme “Cebu Then and Now,” revolving around the beginnings of the Sinulog celebration in particular and Cebu in general through prehistoric times, the Spanish occupation, the American occupation, and modern Cebu.

In connection with the theme, Sinulog 2010 would recognize the personalities who started the Sinulog, as well as the first schools to participate in the festivities.