Preparations underway for ‘austere’ Sinulog 2027

CEBU CITY — With roughly three months left, preparations for the Sinulog Festival 2027 are officially underway.

For next year’s festivities, however, contingents and other participants should expect austerity measures as organizers adapt to economic challenges.

Registration for major competitions such as the Ritual Showdown, Grand Parade, and Puppeteers is now open, Elmer “Jojo” Labella, executive director of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), announced.

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READ: Sinulog 2027 float sponsorship rises to P800K amid cost pressures

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Registrations are expected to close Nov. 30 or Dec. 1 this year.

Austerity measures

During the OpenLine Media Forum, Labella also revealed changes to manage the budget for the country’s largest and grandest festival.

These include tighter competition rules, a minor parade route adjustment, and possibly suspending minor events as they prepare for rising operating costs and economic pressures.

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“We are anticipating that these are hard times because of the rising cost of fuel … [which has] affected the operating expenses for Sinulog,” Labella said.

Despite the expected increases, subsidies and prizes for participating groups will remain at last year’s levels.

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“As to the assistance, prizes, subsidies and everything, it will actually be the same as last year,” said Labella.

Other changes

On the other hand, SFI unveiled new additions for next year’s festival such as an on-the-spot painting competition, which SFI is developing with the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office.

“We will have a new event this year … for 2027, an on-the-spot painting competition because we always want to have something [new] for the year,” Labella said.

Organizers are also planning a minor adjustment to the parade route to help ease congestion.

The parade will generally follow the existing route, with plans to extend a portion near the buffer zone along N. Bacalso Avenue, specifically in front of Asian College Technology (ACT), Labella said.

READ: Sinulog 2027 opens registration; deadline set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1

“Same route, but of course, we will likely extend it a bit… just to decongest,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

SFI will also enforce stricter technical requirements for floats. 

Organizers plan to inspect floats for compliance with the prescribed height and width limits before the festival.

“What we will do now is we will actually ask those making floats that probably there will be an inspection as to the height and width, as dimensions that have been prescribed by the guidelines,” Labella said.

Stage performances will continue to prohibit special lighting effects. 

Only general wash lighting will be allowed during evening performances to keep a level playing field, he said.

Mandatory workshop for choreographers

To improve performance quality, SFI will hold a workshop Oct. 17 and 18 in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Labella said attendance will be mandatory for choreographers handling participating contingents in Sinulog 2027.

“We will have a workshop … We are working on it so that it will be a must for choreographers who will be handling contingents for 2027,” he said. 

READ: Archival eyes grander Sinulog 2027, but traditional fireworks in doubt

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The Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown for Sinulog 2027 will take place on Jan. 17, a Sunday. /coa