CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is now the chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), which is the organizer of the annual Sinulog celebration.
Osmeña was elected by the SFI’s board members during their executive committee meeting yesterday.
He replaced former mayor Michael Rama, who was at the helm of the SFI for the past six years.
In his news conference, Osmeña laid down his plans for next year’s Sinulog celebration.
“I’m more interested in downsizing Sinulog,” he said.
He reiterated that he wants to shorten the grand parade so it will end as early as 4:30 p.m., instead of the usual 9 p.m.
There will also be no fireworks display during the grand parade’s closing ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The mayor added he will not allow street parties but if there are groups who will insist on holding such, they are required to end it at 4:30 p.m. as well.
“My concern is peace and order. There should be balance. I also want the Sinulog to be nice at night with all the presenters, costumes and props but the scalawags turn up at night. That’s why we have to cut it down,” he said.
There will also be fewer dancing contingents for next year’s event since he will no longer allow public schools in the city to participate in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan.
They will be replaced by the barangays.
Osmeña, however, issued a warning to the barangays not to hold their dance rehearsals inside schools so as not to disturb the classes.
Barangay Apas, he said, has reportedly been holding rehearsals inside a public high school.
He said they should look for another place or they will be banned from joining the Sinulog.
Asked about this, Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said they have not called for any dance rehearsals yet since the barangay is yet to discuss if they will join the Sinulog or not.
“We’d really like to join but we haven’t committed yet. If we do, we assure everyone that we’ll have the practices at the local gym on Saturdays and Sundays only,” he said in a phone interview.
As for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Osmeña said he will leave the matter to Gov. Hilario Davide III if they will send contingents or not.
The Sinulog sa Kabataan is usually held a week prior to the grand parade.
The chairperson of the SFI is always selected through an election that is participated in by its board members.
The SFI was formed in 1984 or 32 years ago.
