Cebu City’s security tightened for Sinulog Festival

MANILA, Philippines - Police have tightened security in Cebu City as the final part of preparations for the yearly Sinulog Festival in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child). Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported that city police have heightened visibility in securing airports, piers and bus terminals to prepare for the influx of tourists and devotees. Several Filipino and even foreign devotees flock to Cebu City from other parts of the country and from abroad to join the annual Sinulog Festival. Hotels and pension houses in the city had been fully booked for the occasion, the report said. On Thursday, the local Catholic Church started the countdown to the Sinulog Festival which will culminate on January 18. The Sinulog website described this year's festival as the country's "biggest, grandest and most anticipated." Sinulog festival is the country's biggest pageantry of sights, sounds and colors as it honors and pays homage to the patron saint of Cebu, the Señor Sto. Niño. As of now, there are already 45 contingents from various cities and provinces who confirmed they will be participating in this Sinulog Grand Parade. The Sinulog website said four contingents coming from Leyte (Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos Leyte, Buyugan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte, Sangyaw Festival of Tacloban City and also in Dulag, Leyte), four contingents also from Negros (Pintaflores of San Carlos City, Jimalalud de Sinulog, Sta Catalina, Negros Orienteal and Bais City), three contingents from Mindanao (Cabadbaran City, Tangub City and Lanao Del Norte) are set to showcase their prowess in Sinulog dancing. For the first time, a contingent from Placer, Masbate in Bicol Region is expected to perform in next year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, it added.- GMANews.TV/b>