Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed her utmost support for Cebu’s Sinulog festivities during the Sinulog sa Lalawigan at the Cebu City Sports Center.
A proud Cebuano herself, Frasco underscored the festival’s cultural significance to all Cebuanos, emphasizing its portrayal of their profound faith and devotion to Senyor Sto. Nino.
“Sinulog has become synonymous to the identity of Cebu, reflecting our unwavering faith, our vibrant culture, and most importantly, the indomitable spirit of the Cebuano,” remarked the tourism chief in her address.
“The dance of the Sinulog: two steps forward, one step back, is reflective of life itself, the story of the Cebuano.”
“The dance of the Sinulog: two steps forward, one step back, is reflective of life itself, the story of the Cebuano. There are times that we encounter setbacks in life, but we Sugbuanons will always have the will to stand up, to seek and pray to the Sto. Nino, and to still be grateful of life, because that’s how Sugbuanons are,” the tourism head added.
Organized by the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu and the Sinulog Foundation Inc., and under the coordinated efforts of Cebu City under the leadership of Mayor Michael Rama, and the Cebu Provincial Government led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Sinulog emerges as Cebu’s grandest festival every January, commemorating the arrival of the Holy Child Jesus, Senor Sto. Nino, to its shores.
Distinguished guests including Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Bong Go, Bong Revilla, Mark Villar, and Francis Tolentino, graced the occasion.
Also present were Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, Congressman Pablo John Garcia, Congresswoman Rhea Gullas, Congressman Peter John Calderon, Congresswoman Janice Salimbangon, Congresswoman Daphne Lagon, Congressman Eduardo Rama, Congresswoman Lani Mercado, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, other local chief executives of the province as well as DOT Undersecretaries Mae Elaine Bathan, Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Ferdinand Jumapao, Director Ronald Conopio, and Director Annavie Bacomo-Lapitan.
