By Marc Cosep Staff Member

Cebu City (January 3, 2023) — While weather has been a problem, organizers assure that all preparations for the Sinulog grand parade will be done within the week.

This, as Mayor Mike Rama yesterday reiterated that the city cannot afford to fail in the “grand comeback” of the Sinulog this January 15, 2023.

Engr. Pericles Dakay (left), Sinulog Foundation, Inc. board of directors president, says the infrastructure component of preparations would all be done within the week. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

“We cannot afford to fail, everything has to be set in place,” he said during the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) board meeting held at the Mayor’s Office conference room early this afternoon.

Engr. Pericles Dakay, Renato Dychangco, Alfred Go, Edward Hayco, and Elmer Labella attended the meeting.

Mayor Rama, who is the chairman of the SFI board, said they all must work “double-time” to fully ensure the success of the Sinulog.

We cannot afford to fail, everything has to be set in place.

Mayor Mike Rama talking about Sinulog 2023

He thanked those in attendance for their efforts and sacrifices for the Sinulog to be successful.

“I am thankful for all your efforts kay everyone is working very hard and sacrificed para ma-stage ‘ta ‘ni og tarong,” he said.

Dakay said that the flooring of the stage is now completed and that the workers are now working on finishing the structure along with the bleachers.

The stage at the Cebu City Sports Center is also being prepared as other activities of the Sinulog, like the Sinulog sa Kabataan on January 8, will be held here.

He said the unpredictable weather was among the challenges they faced but he was confident that everything will be in place within the week.

“Hopefully everything will be in place na by Sunday,” Dakay said.

It has been two years since the Sinulog grand parade was last held due to CoViD-19 restrictions.

Among the contingents to always watch out for is Tribu Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas. The photo shows the contingent performing outside the City Hall following its victory in a July 10, 2022 competition in South Korea. (PIO/File)

With the easing of health protocols in the city, however, Mayor Rama said he is excited for the return of the “mother of all festivals”, which will be held for the first time at the South Road Properties (SRP).

“I am very proud sa SRP. And with the staging of the Sinulog here, hopefully we can show to the world that we can host world-class events at the SRP,” he said. #

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