President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been invited to attend the Sinulog Festival on Jan. 19, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said Monday.
“Perhaps he has an interest in coming here. The President has not attended Sinulog since he took office in 2022. This will be a great opportunity for him to speak to Cebuanos,” Garcia said during a press conference.
He noted that Marcos last visited Cebu on July 9, 2024, when he officially opened the Palarong Pambansa.
The mayor said he also invited Senate President Francis Escudero, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Cabinet secretaries to watch the annual festival that showcases cultural dance performances of different contingents, both local and from out of town.
The Sinulog Foundation Inc. confirmed that 11 out-of-town groups will compete alongside 18 Cebu City contingents and 11 from Cebu province in either the Sinulog-based or free-interpretation categories.
The visiting contingents are Antipolo Maytime Festival Bukluran Dance Troupe, Tabaco College from Luzon, eight from Mindanao and two from Negros Oriental.
Three groups will also perform as guest participants during the event, which returns to the Cebu City Sports Center in the uptown area.
Meanwhile, Garcia signed an order prohibiting concerts beyond 10 p.m. on Jan. 18, the eve of the Fiesta Señor.
He also instructed establishments to open their restrooms to all, maintain cleanliness, and provide security camera footage when needed.
The Sinulog Festival is a major cultural event in the Philippines, attracting thousands of visitors each year to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) through vibrant dance and religious activities. (PNA)
