Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia talks to reporters about the forthcoming “Pasigarbo sa Sugbo (Pride of Cebu).” (DALE ISRAEL/INQUIRER VISAYAS)
CEBU CITY — The province of Cebu will hold its biggest street dancing festival on August 28, about two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia described the “Pasigarbo sa Sugbo (Pride of Cebu)” festival as a “gargantuan event” which will involve 50 dancing contingents from the different component towns and cities of the province.
The event is part of the month-long celebration of the 453rd founding anniversary of Cebu province, the oldest in the country.
Cebu’s more famous Sinulog festival has yet to make a comeback in January 2023, making Pasigarbo sa Sugbo as the biggest street dancing festival in Cebu Island since the global pandemic began.
“Everyone is coming on board and everyone is working conscientiously to come up with a seamless and well coordinated plan,” Garcia said.
“We promise you a most colorful, unique and really fabulous festival,” she added.
The provincial government is subsidizing at least P1 million for contingents from the towns and cities on mainland Cebu. The towns from the islands of Bantayan and Camotes, on the other hand, would get P1.5 million each.
Garcia has yet to announce the festival’s prizes.
The street dancing will close down some of Cebu City’s major streets, including Osmeña Boulevard to V. Rama Avenue towards the Cebu City Sports Center.
The performance contest will also be interactive with online viewers who can vote for their favorite contingents.
“Cebu is back to normal,” said Garcia despite the threats of variants of COVID-19 virus.