BINI to spice up Sinulog revelry?

Local

CEBU City officials confirmed on Tuesday, Nov. 25, that P-pop powerhouse BINI is set to perform at a pre-Sinulog 2026 concert.

However, the group’s management says no agreement has been finalized.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, a member of the Sinulog Festival 2026 Executive Committee, said BINI was initially endorsed to headline a pre-festival show in January next year.

The performance was approved only for the South Road Properties (SRP) and not for Fuente Osmeña Circle, where large concerts will be banned beginning this Sinulog season.

However, although the invitation came through a private sponsor, BINI’s management clarified that nothing has been confirmed.

According to ABS-CBN’s management team handling the group, a local news report confirmed that “no final agreement, contract, or schedule has been approved” for Sinulog 2026.

Tumulak said the city shifted all major concerts to the SRP to prevent traffic jams, safety risks, and uncontrolled crowd buildup in central Cebu.

“Gibawal na nato ang naa sa may Fuente especially ang concert… It can create heavy traffic. Second, risk sa mga mutan-aw kay mag-labang-labang, and we consider that area as prime streets kay naa diha ang mga hospital,” he said.

Food stalls will still be allowed during December festivities, but drinking and big events will no longer be permitted in the area.

Tumulak said organizers are guiding the festival to focus more on devotion in response to recent calamities.

“This is a different Sinulog 2026… It’s more on Santo Niño, veneration to Santo Niño,” he said.

New float guidelines—expected next week—will require 70 percent of designs to highlight faith and devotion, with only 30 percent allotted for corporate branding.

The city is tightening its spending, following Mayor Nestor Archival’s directive to streamline expenses.

“Sa Sinulog duna tay gipang-usab gamay sa budget… giminusan gamay ang budget sa uban programs,” Tumulak said.

Despite cuts, nightly activities and core programs will continue, though some have been restructured to reduce risk and congestion in the city center.(TGP)