Rama Eyes Mega Sinulog 2016

(Cebu City PIO) Cebu City Mayor Michael Lopez Rama bared plans and encouraged everyone to prepare for a bigger and extraordinary Sinulog celebration next year.

During the Sinulog 2015 debriefing held at the Sinulog Hall of Rizal Museum and Public Library Building last January 23 Friday, Rama shared that next year will be called Mega Sinulog 2016 that will reach the cities and municipalities comprising Mega Cebu.

Rama encouraged nearby local government units such as the cities of Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu and the municipalities of Minglanilla, Cordova and Consolacion to host street parties and Sinulog-related activities to draw crowds and enjoy the celebration as well.

He cited that next year’s Sinulog celebration will be extraordinary expecting more people will be coming to Cebu City as it will also be the 51st International Eucharistic Congress with the possibility of Pope Francis’ presence, a Kaplag Milestone Celebration, MICE or Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions will be highlighted, and more VIPs from sister-cities and politicians as it will be an election year.

“Sinulog 2016 must be an extraordinary Sinulog and the preparation should start now,” Rama urged the 56 working committees of Sinulog 2015 coming from different agencies and offices concerned, adding that there will be a paradigm shift in its approach for next year’s Sinulog celebration as 80 percent of the celebration is outside the Cebu City Sports Complex and only 20 percent is inside.

The Sinulog 2015 celebration bearing its original slogan, “One Beat, One Dance, One Vision,” and this year’s theme “Santo Niño: Hope of the People,” was successfully celebrated blessed with a good weather, no major bad incidents happened and drawing more than four million crowds.

The Queen Festival of all festivals all over the Philippines is traditionally held every third Sunday of January. Though the festivity was on January 18, the celebration can be felt even during the yuletide season as various activities, gimmickry and Sinulog-related competitions were lined-up.

The Mayor was thankful to everyone who have supported all the activities during the Sinulog and reminded all to thank, pay homage and honor Señor Santo Niño as He is the reason why we celebrate Sinulog. As the city’s chief executive and at the same time the over-all chairman of all Sinulog 2015 activities and the Chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated, the People’s Mayor was very hands-on in taking good care of all aspects of the grand celebration advocating for Barangayan, Bayanihan and Boluntarismo.

Meanwhile, a thanksgiving was offered to start the Sinulog 2015 debriefing which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Alex Cola Jr. from the Santo Rosario Parish. The priest in his homily commended everyone for the successful Sinulog celebration and reminded that all activities which started and ended with the thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus Christ will be fruitful and successful.

Furthermore, the activities for the grand Sinulog celebration this year will be culminated and wrapped-up on January 31, Saturday during the awarding ceremony for the Sinulog Photo and Sinulog Short Video/Documentary Film Festival that will be held at the SM Cinema, in SM City Cebu. More so, on January 31 to Febraury 8 will be the Photo Exhibit for ‘Winning Photos’ of Sinulog 2015, also at the SM City Cebu. (Cebu City Public Information Office PIO/ Greggy Jiggs P. Senados)