Sinulog Festival grandest ever — Cebu mayor

Sinulog Festival grandest ever — Cebu mayor | Daily Tribune

CEBU CITY — Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia proudly declared on Sunday that the Sinulog Festival for that year would be the grandest in the history of Cebu City.

His declaration came in the wake of heightened excitement over the festival’s return to its traditional venue at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), after two years of being held at the South Road Properties.

“As we anticipated, the 2025 Sinulog has become the biggest and grandest in the history of Cebu City,” Garcia told the media, reflecting the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the event’s revival at its original location.

Garcia highlighted a key difference from past editions, particularly the increased number of contingents.

“In previous years, we barely reached 20 contingents. But this year, with the province of Cebu adding around 15 more, can you imagine how grand it will be?” he said, emphasizing the collaborative effort from both the city and provincial governments.

He also commended the Province of Cebu for its full support of the festival, noting that it had donated P33 million to ensure the success of Sinulog 2025.

The Sinulog Festival, an annual cultural and religious event honoring the Santo Niño, has long been one of the largest and most celebrated festivals in the Philippines.

For decades, it was held at the CCSC, a venue deeply associated with the festival’s history. However, in 2023 and 2024, then-Mayor Michael Rama opted to relocate the event to the SRP, citing logistical and developmental reasons.

That decision sparked controversy, as some local leaders, including Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, voiced concerns about the safety and accessibility of the SRP venue.

Governor Garcia, along with several mayors, even withdrew their support for the festival’s move, urging a return to the more familiar and historically significant CCSC. This led to a shift in the festival’s location for Sinulog 2025, now hailed as the grandest edition ever.

As the Sinulog Festival resumes its place at the CCSC, Cebu City’s leadership and the provincial government are optimistic about the festival’s success and its potential to further boost the region’s tourism and cultural pride.

The return to CCSC marks a new chapter in Sinulog’s storied history, ensuring that the festival remains a vibrant and unifying celebration for Cebuanos and visitors alike.