Mayor Rama to study change of Sinulog parade time

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not keen on having the Sinulog Grand Parade next year start in the late afternoon, but he promised that he would look into the merits of the proposal.

Speaking live in an interview over City Hall's online platform Sugboanon Channel, he said he will look into the matter by also considering the number of contingents.

"As far as I am concerned, tan-awon nato kay kini ra bang Sinulog mag-depend kung pila kabuok contingents," the mayor said.

He said, though, that he is also concerned about the time that each contingent could perform should the grand parade begins at 3 p.m. instead of 8 a.m.

Rama said he also does not relish the idea of having the Sinulog grand parade finish at dawn.

He said, though, that any suggestions would be taken into consideration. The mayor heads the Sinulog Foundation Inc. board of directors.

City Councilor Phillip Zafra had proposed the starting time change, concerned over the effect of the sun's heat on the dancers and spectators, especially that the Sinulog would be held at the South Road Properties.

City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, however, said starting at 3 p.m. may even be tiring and "unhealthy" for the dancers.

"From the perspective of a dancer, kapoy na siya. Kay ang waiting time nimo, you know, to prepare as early as 4 a.m. and mo-dance ka at 3 p.m. Mas gusto ang mga dancers musayaw kaysa mag-istambay," said Pesquera.

She said that if the starting time is changed, there might be dancers who may end up performing at dawn the next day yet.

"It's not healthy. You know you wake up very early on the day of the Sinulog like 4 a.m. especially women, mag make up pa, human musayaw ka the following day na, it's not healthy," said Pesquera. — (FREEMAN)