Sinulog’s a go, but no live audience allowed

EXPRESSION OF FAITH In January this year, people packed the streets of Cebu City to watch performances for Sinulog, one of the country’s biggest religious festivals honoring Señor Sto. Niño, or the Child Jesus. The pandemic, however, has forced organizers of next month’s Sinulog to limit participants and keep the crowds away as the festival is streamed online. —JOWENCE NIÑA MENDOZA

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The ritual showdown for the Sinulog Festival next month will be held at the parking area of a mall at South Road Properties (SRP) here, more than 4 kilometers away from its usual venue downtown, to avoid attracting crowds.

“We need to make some adjustments to prevent the spread of the virus while we continue to hold the Sinulog,” said Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who is leading festival preparations.

It is easier to prevent the crowd from entering the open parking space of SM Seaside at SRP than holding the event at Cebu City Sports Complex, Rama said.

Performances

The city government earlier announced that it would push through with the 2021 Sinulog in honor of the Sto. Niño, or the Holy Child Jesus, which usually draws millions of people from other parts of the country and abroad.

Organizers decided to “tone down” the festivities by not allowing any audience to prevent another surge in the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the city and the province.

Rama said dance rituals by the city-based contingents would still take place at the venue and streamed live. Out-of-town groups, including those from Cebu province, will have to prerecord their performances, he added.

The number of dancers per contingent will be limited to only 50 while the use of backdrops and rolling props will not be allowed, Rama said.

There will be no floats and “higantes” (giant papier-mache figures) but prefestival activities, such as Sinulog Idol, Balik Cebu, Sinulog Photography Contest and Sinulog Festival Queen pageant, will push through. —NESTLE SEMILLA