Osmeña Blvd. parade launches 2013 Sinulog

AFTER yesterday’s religious procession, comes the kickoff of the the Sinulog festival.

It starts at 2:30 p.m. today with a Mass at the Sto. Niño Basilica and a launch parade to the Cebu City Sports Center for an opening program.

Dance troupes from different colleges and univiersities will fill Osmeña Boulevard joined by the reigning Miss Cebu, Pierre Anther Infante.

Watch for students from Ginatilan town who will be dancing with the image of San Pedro Calungsod.

The parade is the “halad” or offering of the youth dancers and academe for the Sto. Niño, said Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

At night begins the first of a series of nightly elimination rounds for the Sinulog Idol 2013 finalists at Fuente Osmena Circle. Final judging is on Jan. 17.

Earlier at 10 a.m. the Balik Sugbu booth opens at the Ayala Center, a one-stop information center for tourists and balikbayans. . At the booth, tickets are available for the Suroy Suroy sa Sugbo caravan, the Balik Cebu welcome dinner, Sinulog Grandstand seats, and the Pasiyo sa Kabilin Heritage Tour./Correspondent Patricia Andrea D. Pateña with a report from Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac