CEBU CITY – It may have the lowest number of participants but this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade at the South Road Properties went on without a hitch on Sunday.
Throngs of people went out into the SRP in Cebu City to witness what has been considered as the “mother of all festivals” in the country.
Police had yet to release a crowd count as of 5 p.m.
Based on the data released by the Sinulog Foundation Inc., 70 participants joined this year’s Sinulog as compared to the 105 that joined in 2020 before lockdowns were implemented due to COVID-19 pandemic.
There were only 16 dancing contingents after 10 groups from Cebu province including the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu dropped out over the city’s decision to hold the Sinulog Grand Parade at the SRP.
Three days before the event, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced the decision of the contingents from the province including that from Consolacion where she was supposed to dance to pull out from the Sinulog to ensure the safety of their participants since the venue remained muddy due to the incessant rains.
The city, however, managed to finish the preparation by Sunday. It didn’t not also rain as the sun came out after almost a week of nonstop rain.
Aside from the 16 dancing contingents, the Sinulog 2023 also drew 40 floats, eight higantes and six puppeteers.
Except for some problems on crowd control and petty crimes, the police did not receive reports of any untoward incidents during the Sinulog parade and dance showdown which was held for the first time at the SRP.
The Sinulog is held every third week of January to celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus.
At the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, multitudes came to attend Mass and to pay homage to the child Jesus.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who presided over the 6 a.m. Pontifical Mass, called on the people to never lose hope and put their trust in God amid obstacles and problems.
“It is good to think that after three years of restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 and even Typhoon Odette (in December 2021), we are not gathered here. We give thanks to God for the gift of faith,” he said in his homily during Sunday’s 6 a.m. Pontifical Mass at the basilica’s open air Pilgrim Center where about 7,000 people gathered.
“We declare that the Santo Niño is our companion in the journey of faith. May we continue our intimate relationship with God. Let us say Lord, we need you and we love you. Stay with us, stay in our families, homes, and hearts. Let us continue to pray and trust in God,” the prelate added.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama opened the Sinulog grand parade at the SRP at 10 a.m.
Joining the grand parade for the first time was a guest contingent from the Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival based in Wonju, South Korea.