Have more fun watching Sinulog parade on streets

NEVER mind if tickets for the grandstand in the Cebu City Sports Center are all sold out.

Spectators can have “more fun” watching the Sinulog parade for free from the street where dance contingents are up close.

Revelry by the roadside is a genuine Sinulog experience.

It includes spontaneous street dancing, hanging out with friends, feasting, getting one’s face painted, gawking at floats and higantes, strolling down car-free lanes and other pocket celebrations along the length of Osmeña Boulevard, Gen. Maxilom Avenue and roads along the 5.3-kilometer carousel route.

Or you can watch from the comfort of home in front of the TV.

Live telecasts of the whole-day parade will be aired on TV 5, Cebu Catholic TV, and Sky Cable, said Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation.

“I know there are still many who wanted to buy tickets. Some even cried when we told them that tickets were already sold out for the grandstand. But I advised them to watch from the outside,” he said.

Only 5,600 grandstand tickets for sale were printed. The other seats were reserved for VIPs, balikbayans, other guests and sponsors.

The grandstand can seat 12,000 people comfortably.

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With forecasts of rain and clouds tomorrow, some Sinulog performers worry about mud near the main stage that gets in the way when dance troupes climb the stage.

Plywood sheets will be laid on the ground for this , said Ballesteros during a final briefing of Sinulog participants.

Contestants should wear all-weather costumes and props that won’t get damaged by a rain shower, he reminded them.

He also repeated his instruction to company-sponsored floats not to throw products samples, calendars or treats to the crowd to avoid a commotion along the parade route. Each float should have at most 25 persons. Reporter Doris Bongcac