ShareThisCEBU CITY – Organizers of the Sinulog Festival, one of the country’s biggest cultural events and top drawer of both local and foreign tourists, said they expect more out-of-town dancing contingents in the festival’s edition in January next year.
Dancing contingents from Mindanao are among the early registrants for next year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, according to Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros.
These are Kidapawan City of North Cotabato and Lubi-Lubi of Surigao del Norte, who will join Sinulog for the first time.
Pintados of Tacloban City, Leyte is also in the list of entries for the 31st celebration of one of the biggest cultural events in the country.
Ballesteros said more out-of-town contingents in the Visayas have also expressed interest to join next month’s festivities.
This includes Bais City, Bayawan City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Placer in Masbate, and Abuyog in Leyte, which is also the defending champion.
Ballesteros expects more out-of-town contingents to join, as he continues to receive inquiries from other places in the Visayas and Mindanao.
”We expect more entries because we have new leaders now. Others want to join as an offering to the Sto. Nino,” Ballesteros said.
There are already 20 contingents who have registered for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, which is scheduled on Jan. 8.
Eighteen contingents have officially listed also for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, which will be held on Jan. 9.
First five winners in high school and elementary divisions will automatically qualify for the Sinulog 2011 Grand Parade.
Sinulog 2011 was launched a couple of weeks ago but the activities will officially start on Jan. 7, when the launching program will also be held in the evening at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Ballesteros said they are now 60 percent done with the preparation for the grand parade, which will cost P30 million.
He said the stage is almost done and the contingents can now practice their dance routine there.
Ballesteros said they have to finish all their preparations within the month.
Next year, the celebration will have a touch of the Chinese culture.