CEBU CITY (Jan. 23, 2024) – Mayor Mike Rama plans to organize a “Sinulog sa Sugbo World” as a follow up to the successful staging of this year’s festival.
“I’ve said already this in my message yesterday. (It’s going to be) Sinulog sa Sugbo World, One Cebu Island dili malimtan,” Rama said in his Ingna’ng Mayor program over Sugboanon Channel earlier today.
Following what he learned from this year’s Sinulog, Rama said he is confident that the City Government and the Sinulog Foundation Inc. can organize another successful festival next year.
Rama said he plans to invite interested contingents from all parts of the country to participate next year.
The mayor said he plans to use his influence as president of the League of Cities in the Philippines and invite all mayors in the country to send contingents to next year’s festival.
To keep on his “Sinulog sa Sugbo World” theme, the mayor said he plans to invite dancers from cities across the world that have an existing sister-city partnership with Cebu City.
Venue
In a press conference on the same day, Rama said the Sinulog next year will remain at the South Road Properties (SRP).
“Yes, it will remain (at the SRP). Unless you have an idea for a venue that can accommodate four million people,” the mayor told reporters.
He also reiterated that the Cebu City Sports Center will no longer be used as a Sinulog venue due to its limited capacity.
With the planned completion of the SM Seaside Arena next year, Rama hopes that it could help expand the Sinulog venue.
He also plans to develop the current Sinulog stage at the City de Mare into a world-class venue for other events.
“I was talking to Engr. Ricky Dakay, he told me that convertible nang area. Butangan nalang og amphitheater, and ample sound systems, we can make it into an international event area,” the mayor added.
Criticism
He also welcomed several criticisms thrown against him over some aspects of this year’s Sinulog including several complaints on the heat and the lack of shade at the SRP.
Rama said he plans to compile those criticisms and raise them before the executive committee so that they can be improved in next year’s grand parade.
While he remains a “listening mayor” when it comes to constructive criticism, Rama said he does not tolerate people who make up lies against him to further their agenda.
“Okay raman nang yawyaw, basta constructive. Pero moyawyaw mo, mosud mo sa social media ug naa’y bakak, naa nay gaba,” the mayor added.
Rama was also thankful that the Sinulog Grand Parade this year was done without any hitches.
The Cebu City Police Office reported that an estimated three million people attended last Sunday’s Sinulog Grand Parade.
This year’s Sinulog was the second time that it was held at the SRP. | PPRMN / jkv
Cebu City • News & Information 