Festival queen crowned tonight

At least 11 beauties will be vying for tonight’s Sinulog Festival Queen title, touted as the grandest in the pageant’s six-year history.

A lass from Negros Occidental, 17-year-old Kim Villacampo, was adjudged Best in Runway during a preliminary runway modeling contest where the 11 early registrants strut the runway in their official getups.

However, the fashion show has no bearing on the main event tonight, said Junjet Primor, one of the pageant’s organizers.

Villacampo, dressed in a bright red gown patterned after a cabbage rose with gold highlights, butterfly adornments and a headdress of artificial flowers, easily outshone her rivals.

The gown, however, was made of inexpensive materials, she said.

“Dili mahibaw-an nga plastic ra diay ni sa sud-an (You can’t tell that it’s just the kind of plastic bags that you put food in),” said Villacampo, pointing to the petticoat under her gown.

She represented San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, whose contingent is one of four out-of-town groups whose lead dancers signed up for the Sinulog Festival Queen competition. The main contest will be held tonight, 7:30 p.m., at the Cebu City Sports Center.

For the 30th Sinulog anniversary, the contest will be on a grander scale to seek out a modern-day Hara Amihan.

A total of 15 contestants are expected to sign up. Last year, there were 23.

The Sinulog Festival Queen pageant tonight will have three parts.

First, each contestant will walk on stage after introducing herself. Then she performs a dance along with a limited number of members from her Sinulog contingents. Finally, the lead dancer has to dress up in her official contingent gown and dance alone, carrying the image of the Sto. Niño.

Each contestant will be judged based on her total appearance (50 percent), group dance performance (30 percent), and her solo performance (20 percent).

The Sinulog Festival Queen pageant aims to pay homage to Hara Amihan, wife of Cebu’s 16th century ruler Rajah Humabon.

Filipino-American bishop to visit for festival

ST. BENEDICT — The popular Filipino devotion honoring Santo Niño — the holy child Jesus — is coming to Mount Angel Seminary.
Filipino seminarians are extending an invitation to all Catholics to join the festivities on Saturday, Jan. 16.
Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis of Los Angeles will be the principal presider at an 11 a.m. Mass. He is the first Filipino American ordained to the episcopacy in the United States.
Festivities will include a blessing of Santo Niño statues and a Sinulog festival. Sinulog, a dance ritual, commemorates the origin of the Cebuano people and their acceptance of Christianity. Traditionally, it’s a street parade filled with bright-colored costumes and loud beats of drums and native gongs. This year’s Sinulog festival will be hosted by Sinulog Portland under the direction of Rudy del Rosario.
To culminate the festivities there will be a reception with Filipino food, traditional Filipino dances and entertainment.
On Sunday, Jan. 17, Filipino seminarians will accompany Bishop Solis as he visits St. Mary Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. Later in the day, he will visit the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, better known as the Grotto, and pray at the Dambana, the first Filipino shrine in the Archdiocese of Portland.
The evening will conclude with solemn vespers at the Grotto with the seminarians and Filipino lay leaders from throughout the archdiocese.

Thousands join start of 9-day novena mass for Sto. Niño

CEBU CITY – Thousands of religious devotees joined the early dawn procession on Thursday from the Fuente Osmeña Oval to the Basilica del Sto. Niño de Cebu, carrying images and statues of the Child Jesus in different forms and sizes, ushering the start of the traditional nine-day novena for the Feast of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
Dubbed the “Walk With Jesus Procession,” the religious march gathered devotees from Cebu and beyond who traveled to the city to attend the procession.
“I have been doing this for the past 10 years. The Sto. Niño has been giving me and my family good health so I will be participating in the procession for as long as my body will allow,” said 68-year-old Crisanta Coronado, who traveled from Moalboal town, south of Cebu, to attend the procession.
Crisanta joined a huge throng of devotees, mostly with their families, including children in tow, in the procession that ended with the first novena mass at the Basilica.
The nine-day novena will culminate on the third Sunday of the month, January 17, which is the actual Feast of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.
Meanwhile, Cebu's tourism industry is expected to shine bright at the start of 2010 as the mad rush for hotel bookings in Cebu City began. All available accommodations in the city, leading up to the annual biggest event of the year in Cebu, the Sinulog Festival whose 30th anniversary is being celebrated this year, are expected to be fully booked.
Initiated in 1980, the Sinulog Festival manifests the devotion of the Cebuanos to its Patron Saint, Señor Sto. Niño through dance movements depicting the island province’s religious history including how its people were converted to Roman Catholicism.
In the past, Sinulog Mardi Gras participants were scant, but over the years, the numbers have grown as more and more people from outside Cebu come to take part in the Sinulog parade.
The Sinulog Mardi Gras has evolved from a simple event to being a major tourism crowd drawer currently.
The festival has also become a particularly popular religious event among Sto. Niño devotees, some of whom come to Cebu from as far as Mindanao and Luzon to pay their respects to the Child Jesus, or the Sto. Niño. Also, the Sinulog festivities have become a major motive for balikbayans to come home and celebrate with their loved ones.
This coming Friday, the 2010 Sinulog Festival will kick off at 2:00 p.m. with a Sinulog retrospective photo exhibit to be put up simultaneously at SM City Cebu, Ayala Center and at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. This will be followed by a solemn mass at 3:00 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.
At 7:00 p.m., a parade will be conducted from the Basilica del Sto. Niño to the Cebu City Sports Center followed by the opening and launching program at Fuente Osmeña at 7:30 p.m.
Succeeding days will have activities that include the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, cultural shows, concerts and street party bands at Fuente Osmeña, Ms. Cebu 2010 pageant, Cebu Pop Festival, Walk With Mary, Misa de Translacion motorcade, Sinulog Festival Queen 2010 Competition and Balik Cebu Welcome Party for Balikbayans

Sinulog festival to open IN KABANKALAN

The opening of the week-long 34th Sinulog 2010 celebration in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental will be held 5 p.m. today at the city public plaza, a Kabankalan City press release said.
It will be highlighted by a concelebrated Novena mass at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, blessing of the images of Sto. Niño during the Holy Mass, and procession of these images with five tribes and the KCC Sad-Sad dancers.
There will also be a presentation of the candidates for the Search for Hara Sang Negros by Rey Cordero, chairman, committee on the search for Hara sang Negros, followed by a ceremonial face daubing with soot by the chairman of Kabankalan Sinulog Foundation Inc., the press release said.
The festival will be declared open by Mayor Pedro Zayco.

Lanao Norte gears up for Sinulog 2010

Iligan City (5 January) -- In a bid to finally capture the elusive championship in the biggest cultural stage of the Philippines-Cebu's Sinulog Festival, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte is again sending its own contingent in the much anticipated cultural competition.

"This is the fulfillment to our promise to last year's winning group in the Municipal Festival contest during our Golden Araw Anniversary. And with their spectacular win, we are sending this year the Kapatagan National High School to the Sinulog to be our contingent," explained Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

This is the second time that the provincial government is sending an official contingent in the Free Interpretation category where Lanao del Norte placed 4th over-all in a category that saw 25 groups compete.

Last year, Lanao del Norte was also able to grab the coveted title of Best in Costume despite being a first-timer in the festival.

"We are very thankful for the all-out support of Governor Dimaporo. We are inspired to reach for the top prize this time and bring home the trophy here in Lanao del Norte," said Tourism Officer Minda Regis.

This year, the province's Sinulog contingent is composed of 95 dancers, 50 propsmen, 30 instrumentalists and 24 support group personnel. Lanao del Norte will also be sending 2 candidates in the prestigious Sinulog Queen Pageant, namely Emilyn Opada of Maranding, Lala and Lota Correos of Tubod.

"This is another chance for us to showcase to the whole world that Lanao del Norte is indeed a beautiful and peaceful province where people live in unity and harmony with one another," said Information Officer Lyndon Calica.

The Lanao Norte group will depart for Cebu on January 12 for early rehearsals, while the actual Sinulog competitions will be on January 17.

Four National Team Boxers Featured in “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” undercard

Four members of the Philippine amateur boxing training pool will be showcased in the upcoming big boxing event dubbed as “Bakbakan Sa Sinulog!” this January 14 at the Waterfront Hotel.

The fight card is headlined by Milan “Melinyo” Melindo who will challenge WBC Youth Intercontinental Flyweight Champion Anthony Villareal of the USA and AJ Banal who will face Mexican veteran “Cecilio “Boga” Santos.

The amateur fights will feature Adonis Cabalquinto vs. Jimmy Vallares and women’s team members Karina Jane Recaido vs Iris Magno. Karina Jane is the daughter of 1996 Olympian Elias Recaido.

This is part of SMART Communications continuing support of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) training program. Pato Gregorio, Head of SMART Sports Marketing and Special Projects highlighted the accomplishments of our national team in recent tournaments like the Asian Indoor Games and Laos SEA Games. His company has been instrumental in providing financial support during training and cash incentives to the gold medal winners.

The pool now has forty male and fifteen female amateur boxers. They are tapping the support of professional stables like the ALA Gym of Cebu to find more promising amateur talent to continue our quest for the country’s first Olympic gold. A 15 million peso incentive awaits the first Filipino to win an Olympic boxing gold medal.

The Bakbakan fight card will also feature rising ALA Gym stars James Bacon and Larry “Bonjovi” Canillas. Bacon (13-1-0,8 KO’s) will fight Thittichon Singwancha (12-3, 2KO ’s) and KO artist Canillas (11-1-0 with 10 KO’s) will face Pet Twin Gym (8-3-1, 6 KO’s).

This is a joint venture between giant communication SMART Sports and TV5 with ALA Promotions to launch its entry to the sports of professional boxing.

Top photo: ALA Gym President Michael Aldeguer (R) stresses a point as Smart's Patrick Gregorio listens as the duo discuss the upcoming Jan. 14 Sinulog boxing event with the Cebu media at the A Taste of Mandarin Restaurant in Cebu City. Photo by Dong Secuya.

Cebu tourism up as Sinulog Festival celebrates 30th year

Cebu City (5 January) -- Cebu's tourism industry shines bright with the new year as hotel bookings are full leading to the annual biggest event of the year in Cebu, the Sinulog Festival, which celebrates its 30th year.

Initiated in 1980, the Sinulog Festival showed the devotion of the Cebuanos to its Patron Saint Señor Sto. Niño through dance steps that depicted the religious history of the island province and how its people were converted from pagans to Catholics.

Contingents of the Sinulog Mardi Gras then were just a few but over the years, the number of contingents grew as out-of-town participants joined the Sinulog parade.

The Sinulog Mardi Gras has evolved from a simple activity to a major tourism crowd drawer while the festival has become a popular religious event especially among the devotees to the Sto. Niño. Some devotees who come to Cebu in January hail as far as Mindanao and Luzon to pay their respects to the little Child Jesus, Sto. Niño while balikbayans make it a habit to come home to celebrate Sinulog with their loved ones.

On Friday, the 2010 Sinulog Festival will kick off starting at 2:00 p.m. with a Sinulog photo exhibit through the years at SM City Cebu, Ayala Center and at the Mactan Cebu International Airport followed by a solemn mass at 3:00 p.m. at the Basilica del Sto. Niño.

At 7:00 p.m., a launching parade will be conducted from the Basilica del Sto. Niño to the Cebu City Sports Center followed by the opening and launching program at Fuente Osmeña at 7:30 p.m.

Succeeding days will witness activities that include the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, cultural shows, concert and street party bands at Fuente Osmeña, Ms. Cebu 2010, Cebu Pop Festival, Walk With Mary, Misa de Translacion motorcade, Sinulog Festival Queen 2010 Competition and Balik Cebu Welcome Party for Balikbayans.

The widely attended religious activities on the other hand are the fluvial procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño at the Mactan Channel, the re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon at the Basilica and the solemn procession on the 16th.

On January 17, the Sinulog 2010 Grand Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to last until 7:00 p.m. with a grand fireworks at the Cebu City Sports Center while awarding ceremonies of the winners will be done the next day.

Police are also busy preparing for security measures in anticipation of the bulk of people that will flock and join the merriment during the mardi gras.

Sinulog launching a ‘must-see’ event

All systems go for the launching of the Sinulog festivities this Friday.

Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director, described the launching on Jan. 8 as a “must-see event.”

Since it will be the festival’s 30th anniversary, the theme for Sinulog 2010 will be “Cebu, Then and Now,” wherein the celebration will revolve around the history of Cebu, from prehistoric times to modern Cebu. The participants will be in Filipiñana attires.

But Cebuanos should look forward to the first “Sinulog Idol,” a singing competition open to 12 contestants, aged 5 to 25 years old and residents of Cebu.

A possible highlight was the rumored participation of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos.

Radio station dyAB reported yesterday that Santos may join the contingent from barangay Basak-Pardo.

Basak-Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak said he would have to ask permission from the SFI about this.

Ballesteros, however, said anyone could join the grand parade as long as they were dancing with a contingent.

He added the foundation would not invite politicians to the festivities, but would not prevent them from joining in the celebrations.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he might invite his brother, Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III who is running for senator as an independent candidate.

He also said that if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attends, she should be treated well.

The preparations for this year’s Sinulog festivities would not be hampered even if the city government had yet to get an exemption from the Commission on Audit circular that prohibits local government units and government agencies from providing financial assistance to people’s organizations and non-government organizations that have, as any of its incorporators, organizers, directors or officials, an agent or official of the government or anyone related to such a government employee by consanguinity or affinity to the fourth civil degree.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama is chairman of the SFI as well as presiding officer of the City Council that appropriated the funds for the SFI. Former vice mayor Renato Osmeña is SFI vice chairman whose son is Councilor Richard Osmeña.

But Rama remains optimistic that the COA would grant another exemption to the city government.

“Sinulog will proceed as planned. Señor Sto. Niño will solve the problem,” he added.

The COA circular was issued in late 2008, which would have posed a problem for Sinulog 2009.

But City Hall asked COA to exempt the city government from the COA circular especially that the preparations for the Sinulog 2009 were already underway. The COA granted the exemption for that year but made it clear that as a rule, it does not grant exemptions.

But with Rama still at the head of the foundation this year, the city is prevented from donating the P12.5 million that it has allocated for the festivities.

But Rama said he was confident that the COA would issue another exemption this year.

Rama said he would fly to Manila this week to talk to COA officials.

2010- the year of living green again

What is it about the onset of the New Year that makes one feels so upbeat about life and the future? Is it the festive air teeming with laughter, dance and gaiety? Sharing moments with dear ones in turning another meaningful page in our life story contributes in no small measure to the pervading vibrant mood.

Decades back, in the glorious era of “hand-me-downs”, New Year meant that time of the year when something brand new was in store for each member of the family - a dress, pair of shoes, socks and toys. A hand-me-down story it is that hand-me-downs make siblings closer. It did work – for most of us, at least.

We actually did not have much of a choice but to accept the contention – hook, line and sinker. Maybe it was a rationalization concocted to sustain the prudent and green practices of our parents. But, the seeds of proper resource management took deep roots in our psyche. For some families, including ours, with our Mama Coring as the original “Recycling Queen”, the tradition of re-use and recycling is still being carried out and is indeed something to be proud of, amid the pervasiveness of the “use and toss” mindset of this generation.

We look back to the marvelously green period where wastes such as the perilous plastic bags and styropors were still not invented and carbon footprints, climate change, global warming and sustainable development were unknown concepts.

Then, our veggies like malungay and fruits such as banana, guavas, atis, santol and star apple or caimito were not commodities that could be bought in the market, as they are now, but were happily plucked from the backyard. We were responsible for our “wastes”, without inflicting harm on our planet. Biodegradables went back to the soil. Recyclables such as bayong and banig were common reusable household items. There were no carbon-emitting garbage trucks to collect society’s junk. There was no need for electric fan or air-conditioner unit. The temperature then was cooler, and chilly in December.

Yes, we did live green as a way of life. We did not damage the then-lush-and-now-dwindling-and–threatened resources as much as we now do, each second, each minute, and each day of our existence.

Can we bring back the hands of time to that golden era of sustainability? There is undoubtedly no reason why we cannot. But, with carbon dioxide now present in the atmosphere beyond 350 parts per million, there is not much time left. The time for action is now.

Despite the odds, this writer’s fearless forecast is this: 2010 is going to be the year of living green again. Civil society stakeholders are now taking unprecedented leadership in protecting God’s creations and are more responsible stewards of this ailing planet.

Climate Justice Resource Speaker Larry Lohman aptly pointed out in November that our political leaders are not climate leaders. The climate crisis shows that political decisions made are harmful to our life-support system. There is no culture of science in arriving at decisions and worse, there is a policy of exclusion for our subsistence fisherfolk, farmers and indigenous peoples who are already feeling the consequences of climate change.

The good news is - 2010 unfolded with a welcome green bang. Pope Benedict exhorted his flock to protect the planet and respect divergence. The Catholic Church hierarchy in Cebu now commits to nurture God’s creations. Parishes are expected to be visible in the environmental programs of each community, in collaboration with the local government units (LGUs). This development is a tremendous boost for LGUs and the constituents to craft, implement and monitor environmental projects and adapt to the climate crisis in a participatory and transparent manner.

This year, a Green Sinulog is in the offing with a Mass for Mother Earth on January 11, 7 in the evening at the Sto. Niño Church. Environmental groups led by Knights-Stewards of the Sea (Sea Knights) leader, Fr. Tito Soquino of the Order of St. Augustine and the Fisheries for Sustainable Harvest (FISH) US-AID Program officers, had their hands full days before the holidays planning for a high-impact Green Sinulog.

2010 being an election year, candidates for elective national and local offices will be asked to present their environmental agenda. On January 12, a forum on Eco-Governance will be held at the University of San Carlos, at its main campus. Those who confirmed to be present are presidential candidate Nicky Perlas (hopefully, COMELEC will already decide on his motion for reconsideration), senatorial aspirants Alex Lacson (author of Twelve Little Things Filipinos Can do for the Country) and Sonia Roco, a scuba diving enthusiast and women advocacy campaigner and local Cebu City SP member candidate, Ms. Nida Cabrera, the much-admired proponent of participatory brand of political leadership.

The youth from the University of the Philippines led by Kristian Abad, in partnership with the Visayas Climate Action Network, will soon work with a barangay in Cebu City to help the constituents work out their waste management program.

The eco-crusaders are also set to carry their advocacy to new grounds. An innovation is a monthly draw to choose recipient barangays whose officials will be asked to account for their compliance of our environmental laws (or lack of). This project jives well with the plan of the church to be more involved in programs that are in harmony with nature.

We must now realize that if there is to be hope in changing our wasteful and destructive lifestyle and practices, we have to show the way. The leaders are us – the people from the grass roots who must now move our political leaders into a sustainable frame of mind.

Cheers to another year of golden opportunity to do right – for our planet, our children and the generations yet unborn. Let us start living green again. Mabuhay!

‘Sinulog, polls to boost Cebu economy’

Cebu will continue to have a robust economy and a better business climate this year, said a business leader in Mandaue City.

Eric Ng Mendoza, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), named two factors for his 2010 forecast – tourism, Sinulog and the elections.

Mendoza said that Cebu is a peculiar place being it is in the center of the Visayas. Everything in tourism comes to Cebu before going to other provinces in the region.

Mendoza said the peace and order situation in Cebu and the facilities like the international airport, a choice of five-star to two-star hotel accommodations are also a big plus factor for Cebu's tourism industry.

These are among the factors that made Cebu the No. 1 tourist destination in the country last year with 1.24 million tourist arrivals.

Mendoza said he expected more tourist arrivals to Cebu this year especially for the Sinulog after organizers promised a grand celebration to mark the festival's 30th anniversary.

After the Sinulog, the elections will come next in May.

Mendoza said the number of candidates running for different positions would be good for the advertising industry, the different media outlets, printing businesses, t-shirt manufacturers and other related businesse especially during the campaign season.

Other businesses that would benefit from the elections include restaurant and function rooms for the meetings of the different political groups.

After the elections, businesses will prepare for the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year for the Christmas season.

He said that in July, orders for Christmas-related products start production for delivery in September and October.

Mendoza also said investors and businessmen were not worried about who would win in the elections because they were assured of business-friendly candidates running for the different posts in government.

-Cebu Daily News

Sinulog sa Sugbo 2010 at the Heart of Crown Regency

CEBU, Philippines - The entire island of Cebu goes in frenzy every January to celebrate Sinulog. This is the main reason why Cebu is now known to the world as the “Fiesta Island.” Still others refer to Cebu as the “Island of Festivals,” because almost all of the 48 municipalities have already come up with a mini-festival of their own largely based from the Sinulog. Check this out with the Sinulog Foundation and you will see a complete line-up of each festival which is intrinsically named after a municipality’s unique feature — be it a means of livelihood, a rare bird or fish species, a rare tree genus, a local food concoction or a well-upheld culture and tradition.

The Sinulog is actually a dance routine of two-steps forward and one-step backward that is performed usually by an old lady who, with a candle in hand and waved up high while saying “Pit Senyor” invokes a little prayer for good health, good intentions and good luck for whoever approaches her to do a “sinug.” This sacred ritual was previously done within the confines of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was in 1981 that Sinulog sa Sugbo started in the streets and participated largely by schools and universities in Cebu to showcase the grand fiesta celebration of Senyor Santo Niño, then considered as Cebu’s Patron Saint and Protector, coupled with the people’s unwavering belief in the miracles of the Little Boy. That was only the start. Year after year, contingents grew in numbers. The city decided to widen its route and literally lengthened it, too.

Fortunate it is, indeed, for Crown Regency Hotel & Towers to be located along the Sinulog Parade route. Being the tallest edifice that faces the major thoroughfare called Osmeña Boulevard, any local resident, unit owner, club member or foreign guest who stays at Crown Regency for the duration of the Sinulog celebration gets the best view of the entire proceedings from the first hour down to its end. Not only that, one gets to enjoy the sumptuous Whole Day Dining promo at Glo Café for P999 per person. At Sparkz International Restaurant, dinner buffet cover of P1000 per person gives additional perks like a choice of an Edge Coaster ride or the Skywalk Extreme or watch one movie feature at the 4-D Theater.

Moreover, one gets to enjoy our in-house entertainment like the Video Karaoke Room, the Family Recreation Lounge, Vivo Playroom for the kids and the Sky Observatory. When your eyes droop from all the watching, take a catnap at the Snooze Lounge and be refreshed and re-energized! If you think the heat becomes intolerable, there’s a swimming pool at the 9th floor or the Aqua Fitness Pool at the 17th floor. There’s Prana Medispa’s body massage, foot massage or foot spa that will ease your body aches and tired muscles.

Book a room at once. Do it now! Talk to any of our very friendly sales executives. Call 418-8888.