Cebu City marks Independence Day with parade, ‘Battle of Festivals’

CEBU, Philippines – The Queen City of the South, Cebu City, celebrated the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence on Monday, June 12, with flaglets, festivities, and fanfare – a spirit it has come to be known for.

Sugbuanons waved their flags as performers marched from the Fuente Osmeña Circle to Plaza Independencia wearing traditional Filipino clothing during the city-organized civic military parade.

“Savoring and making independence meaningful,” Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama told Rappler.

The crowd raise their flags upon seeing the street performances along Osmeña Boulevard. Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

Residents converged at the historical plaza, known for being a symbol of liberation from colonial rule, to witness the newest addition to this year’s celebration — “Barangayan sa Sugbo” or the “Battle of the Festivals”.

The event showcased dance performances revolving around different festival celebrations in every Cebu City barangay. Unlike regular Sinulog festival dances, the performances put more emphasis on “Cebuano liberation.”

There were also booths which showed the history, culture, and tourist attractions of each of the local villages.

PARADE. Performers wore traditional Filipino attire and military uniforms. Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler

Bayanihan

Among those who marched in the parade was Sergeant Anita Epan, 67, a member of the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG), who proudly wore her uniform for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

“Ang nakanindot ani nga selebrasyon kay ang atong pagsaulog sa kagawasan ug kay 125 years na,” Epan told Rappler.

(What’s great about this celebration is that we are celebrating our freedom and that was 125 years ago.)

Sergeant Anita Epan, 67, a member of the Police Community Relations Group, proudly wears her uniform during the 125th Independence Day Celebration.

“I’m happy to celebrate here with friends and fellow Cebuanos,” Epan said in Cebuano.@rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/ZlBGGQJkyH
— John Sitchon (@TheJohnSitchon) June 12, 2023

Epan served in the PCRG for 3 years, beginning in 2020, coordinating with village chiefs to ensure public safety from the threat of COVID-19. Prior to this, Epan worked as a seamstress in her neighborhood in Barangay Basak-Cagodoy in Lapu-Lapu City.

She said the celebration brought back memories of “bayanihan” which she experienced while working with the PCRG.

Emilia Navidad, 58, a kutsero (coachman) from Barangay Duljo-Fatima, described how so much of the festivities were accomplished because many Sugbuanons came through and pitched in.

“Halos tanan nakaapil sa Independence Day. Sauna, gamay ra kaayo nangapil (Almost all attended the Independence Day. Back then, only a few joined),” Navidad said.

For her part, Navidad, who runs a horse-carriage business with her husband, brought along her horse, Labiana, so tourists and residents could take pictures in a colorful and traditional kalesa.

Navidad wished that in the following years, more kutseros would join the event that commemorates Cebu’s history and freedom.

Emilia Navidad, 58, is a “kotsero” or driver of horse-drawn carriage of Barangay Duljo-Fatima.

Navidad said that she’s happy to celebrate the day with her horse, Labiana, who she brought along to Plaza Independencia for residents to take pictures with.@rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/9gyh9GC0GI
— John Sitchon (@TheJohnSitchon) June 12, 2023

Barangayan

According to Ernesto Herrera, special assistant to the mayor for national agencies, the celebration was actually a revival of the original Barangayan which was first celebrated in 1998 when the mayor was still a city councilor.

The city government allotted P5 million for the whole celebration. Initially, the budget was capped at P10.5 million until it received negative reactions from netizens and public officials like Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival.

Herrera said that it was trimmed down as per instructions from the mayor.

The budget was used to fund a majority of the celebration’s expenses, which consists of the morning program, independence day photo exhibit, and prizes for the competition.

Herrera added that the Sinulog Foundation Inc. sponsored P3 million in total cash subsidy that was distributed to each of the participating barangays and that a private entity sponsored another P1 million for the Independence Day Ball.

Rama told reporters that the event would be a “prelude” to the official national celebration of the Sinulog festival in 2024.

“When we organized, we already had the Sinulog sa Sugbo Philippines 2024 in mind. This is just the preliminary,” the mayor said.

Rama added that this would help bring the attractions, culture, and heritage of the city to the rest of the world.

Victors

Ten barangays participated in the major street dance competition, namely Inayawan, San Nicolas Proper, Day-as, Sudlon I, Guadalupe, Suba, Quiot, Kalunasan, Pasil, and Apas.

Below are the winners of the Barangayan sa Sugbo: