Sinulog 2008 parade to go international

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EVEN with limited funds, Sinulog 2008 organizers will innovate and apply some of the things they learned from shows in Las Vegas to give spectators something new this January.

The Sinulog Foundation Inc. will design the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 20 for an international audience, using new concepts they learned from a recent trip to Las Vegas, Nevada in the US.

From the Asian-inspired theme last January when Cebu hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, preparations for next year’s grand parade will focus on the theme “Sinulog Goes International.”

Sinulog project director Dolores Suzara said the Sinulog will reach out to countries in America and Europe, after showing the public the festivals and culture of 16 Asian countries last January.

“The shows we saw in Las Vegas were very enriching in terms of learning concepts in productions. The props are something to behold and we will try our best to use them here. Definitely we will have something new for the audience next year,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.

She would not say yet what the innovations will be, saying they want to surprise the Cebuanos and spectators from other provinces and abroad who have been coming back to watch the Sinulog.

Suzara and Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros were in Las Vegas from Oct. 2 to 11 to observe some shows there and get fresh ideas that can be replicated in the Sinulog parade.

The Cebu City Government funded the trip, which also gave them a chance to meet with the Cebuano community there.

During their visit, the Filipino-Visayan Association of Las Vegas told organizers they will be sponsoring an entry in the float category during the parade, and will consider sponsoring a dancing contingent.

Suzara said they will have some innovations in the Sinulog launching and in the finale, which will feature 16 dance troupes from local universities and colleges dressed in international costumes.

Despite the limited funds, organizers hope to have more out-of-town contingents during the grand parade.

Suzara said they have asked the City Government for financial assistance amounting to P8 million, which will cover the cash prizes and financial assistance to some contingents from other provinces. The amount, though, has yet to be finalized.

Article sourced from: Sun.Star Cebu

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