2012 Sinulog a ‘big success’

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the 2012 Sinulog was “hugely” successful due to the unity of  leaders of Cebu city and Cebu province.

Garcia said cooperation between both local governments was in response to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s appeal for unity made during a Mass he officiated in the Sinulog grandstand.

“He pointed out that ‘the city needs the province and the province needs the city.’  We must work together. I think the Sinulog showed that the two leaders of the province of Cebu and the City government are working hand in hand,” she said.

Her arch critic, Rep. Tomas  Osmeña said the success of the Sinulog should be attributed to the Cebuanos and not because of the “unity” of Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

In a text message, Osmeña said, “Cebu City is not Mike and Gwen is not the province.”

“The Sinulog grows more and more successful each year because of the attraction of the Sto. Niño and all  Cebuanos in the past, present and future who worship him and keep working hard to make  the event better,” Osmeña said.

Garcia, who danced in the grand parade for the 8th time this year, said her performance was her way of thanking the Sto. Niño for his continued protection and all the blessings  bestowed on Cebu.

She lauded the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) for successfully mounting the Sinulog 2012, which culminated in a  grand parade last Sunday.

“I was in awe when all the Cebuanos came together to make this Sinulog happen and happen in a tremendously successful way,” she said.

Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. was also satisfied with the result: “It all went well.  It’s successful and peaceful.”

He said  social media like Facebook and live streaming on the Internet  helped a lot in promoting the Sinuloge. Tapping the new media was an innovation this year.

“We will  continue to innovate in the Sinulog in any way we can.  I  heard that in other areas, those who sent contingents  to  Cebu watched the Sinulog 2012 coverage like a Manny Pacquiao fight,” he said.

Mayor Michael Rama said noticed that the crowd has matured and was  relatively behaved during the parade. He  commended the street sweepers for finishing a cleanup of the city before daybreak.

He said he wants to give them and traffic enforcers a sack of rice each to show the city’s  appreciation if the City Council allows it. He also commended the news media for good coverage of all the Sinulog activities. Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya and Correspondents Carmel Matus and Edison delos Angeles