This was revealed by Elmer “Jojo” Labella, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc., in an interview with SunStar Cebu Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.
As of Friday, Labella said, the SFI had received 21 contingents who will perform in the street dancing competition and grand ritual showdown.
The deadline for submission of entries was originally set on Dec. 10, but since there are still many groups that expressed their intention to join the festival, Labella said they will still accept entries until the third week of December.
The City Government will provide financial subsidies to the registered contingents, which they can use for their expenses such as costumes, props and food for the dancers, he added.
Cebu City-based contingents will receive P500,000; out-of-town contingents will receive P600,000.
Internet challenge
Labella also appealed to authorities not to include internet connectivity should they implement a signal shutdown as a security protocol during the festivities.
Labella said internet connection is vital, especially in livestreaming the grand parade on social media platforms.
If there is really a need to impose a signal shutdown, it should only be for text messages and phone calls, he said.
Last Nov. 29, the Cebu City Police Office said it will recommend a signal shutdown during the Sinulog grand
parade. But this is not yet final since police personnel will still conduct threat assessments for the festival.
Labella admitted that the new location of the grand parade, which is the SRP, is a challenging area for some telecommunication providers due to the lack of enough cell sites.
He added that a broadband company has expressed willingness to install a fiber optic connection in the SRP to be able to deliver an improved internet connection.
In previous years, the end-point for the Sinulog grand parade was the Cebu City Sports Center.
Earlier, Mayor Michael Rama also said a “world tent city” would also be installed in the SRP to allow businesses to showcase their products and services during the festivities.
The Sinulog celebration will happen not only in the SRP as other activities will also take place in other areas of the city.
Labella said the Sinulog Idol, a singing competition, will still happen in its regular venue, which is the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
Other programs are also expected to happen in the Plaza Independencia that will begin on the first week of January 2023.