What to expect from Sinulog sa Dakbayan and Sinulog sa Lalawigan 2024

CEBU, Philippines – Thousands of spectators are expected to gather at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), formerly known as Abellana Sports Complex, to witness the Sinulog sa Dakbayan (formerly Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan) and Sinulog sa Lalawigan (formerly Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan) performances on January 13 and 14, respectively.

In Cebuano, lalawigan means province, while dakbayan translates to city. 

The two separate events, scheduled one day after another, serve as preview of what to expect during the country’s grandest festival, the Sinulog, in honor of the Holy Child Señor Santo Niño. 

Dubbed this year as “Sinulog sa Sugbo Philippines 2024,” the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown will be held at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City on January 21.

In previous years, the winners and participants of the Sinulog sa Dakbayan and Sinulog sa Lalawigan also competed in the Sinulog Ritual Showdown and Grand Parade.

However, because of the new venue for the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown – to be held at the SRP for the second time – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she was leaving the decision to each mayors if they would participate or not.

The Sinulog sa Lalawigan features Sinulog performances by youth from Cebu province’s municipalities and cities, as well as the highly urbanized cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Carcar City, which emerged victorious in the 2023 One Cebu Island Sinulog sa Kabataan, is also expected to defend its title. Garcia is set to join Minglanilla for a closing act.

The Sinulog sa Dakbayan, on the other hand, showcases performances from barangays and elementary schools in Cebu City, the organizer of the Sinulog.

Venue

The Sinulog sa Dakbayan and Sinulog sa Lalawigan will remain at the CCSC despite the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown taking place at the SRP, just like in 2023.

Unlike last year, however, there are ongoing civil works at the CCSC and Osmeña Boulevard, where the parade for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan and Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will pass.

Despite concerns about the readiness of the CCSC – currently undergoing renovation for the Cebu City government’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in July 2024 – and the suitability of Osmeña Boulevard to host the Sinulog sa Kabataan parades, both the city government and the province have agreed to hold the events at the CCSC.

The Cebu province also promised help in the repair of the grandstand at the CCSC.

Civil works for Package 1 of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit are underway along Osmeña Boulevard, but local officials have assured that measures are in place to ensure the safety of participants and the public during the Sinulog sa Kabataan parade.

In a press conference on Tuesday, January 2, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama reiterated the CCSC as the final venue of the Sinulog sa Kabataan events and designated Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to spearhead the events on behalf of the city government.

However, the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown will remain at the SRP. 

Garcia earlier said the provincial government would donate the usual P20 million to the Sinulog Foundation Inc. if the Sinulog Grand Festival would be held again at the CCSC.

But Rama is bent on holding the country’s grandest festival at the SRP.

Schedule

Before finalizing the January 13-14 schedule, there were calls to postpone the Sinulog sa Lalawigan to a later date, January 19, to give the contingents ample time to prepare.

However, Rama said conflicts in schedule would not make it possible, adding that the proposed date is too close to the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown happening on January 21.

As of Tuesday, at least 18 local government units have expressed interest in joining the Sinulog sa Lalawigan

Tribu Lumad Basakanon and Minglanilla will be joining as guest performers and would be the opening and closing acts, respectively.

The other 16 confirmed contingents for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan are Argao, Tudela, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Poro, Barili, Naga City, Tuburan, Talisay City, Samboan, Madridejos, Carcar City, Moalboal, Toledo City, Consolacion, and Carmen.

Intense competition is expected as the first prize for the Sinulog sa Lalawigan winner is set at P3 million, a big jump from last year’s prize of P500,000.

The second placer will receive P2 million, the third placer will get P1.5 million, and the fourth and fifth placers will receive P1 million and P750,000, respectively.

The consolation prize is P500,000.

The Cebu City Government has not yet released the list of confirmed contingents for both the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown.

Meanwhile, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. released on Tuesday, January 9, the list of contingents for the Sinulog sa Dakbayan.

Starting 2 pm on January 13, a total of 12 contingents will offer their dances for the Señor Sto. Niño:

• Barangay Banilad – Pundok Baniladnon sa Sugbo
• Barangay Binaliw – Aktivong Binaliwhanon
• Barangay Inayawan – Inayawan Talents Guild and Cultural Dance Group
• Barangay Guadalupe – Banauan Cultural Group
• Barangay Mabolo – Tribu Mabolokon
• Barangay Suba – Tribu Masadyaong Subanian
• Barangay Labangon – Banay Labangon
• Barangay San Roque – Tribu San Roque sa Cuidad
• Barangay Sapangdaku
• Barangay San Nicolas Proper – Banay Sanicolasnon
• Barangay T. Padilla – Kulturang Sugbuanon sa Balangay T. Padilla
• Tribu Divinohanon – Divino Amore Academy

– Rappler.com

Wenilyn Sabalo is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.