Close to 40 contingents confirm Sinulog participation

Local

WITH barely six weeks before the country’s biggest festival, Mayor Nestor Archival on Monday confirmed that at least 37 contingents have already committed to join Sinulog 2026.

Archival announced the figure in a press conference, saying the number is expected to stabilize as final validations continue.

“Naa natay klaro nga 37 contingents na mo-join as of December 1, 2025,” Archival said.

The number of participants could go up more than 37 as after Archival’s press briefing, the local government of Moalboal reached out to MyTVCebu to confirm that they will be joining the Sinulog.

Moalboal was not included in the list of confirmed contingents that Archival had announced.

The mayor added that the Cebu City government will extend financial assistance to all participating contingents.

Moreover, Archival said the devotee city for Sinulog 2026 will remain at Plaza Independencia, hosting pilgrims from both Cebu City and Cebu Province after Governor Pamela Baricuatro proposed setting up an additional provincial-run facility.

However, Archival clarified that merging both sites into one area remains the working plan.

“Sa devotee city, naa ta. But si Gov iya gi-emphasize nga naa sad ang mga taga probinsya. It might be nga duhaon, but ang plano sa atong SFI, usahon nalang ang area para mausa paghatag sa unsay kinahanglanon nila. Sa Plaza Independencia na tanan. Kay if didto man gud sa CCQC, layo na kaayo, need ta’g sakyanan,” he said.

Earlier, the province proposed using the former Cebu City Quarantine Center (Block 27) as its additional lodging site.

Final arrangements will be settled in coordination meetings between Cebu City, Capitol, and SFI.

Archival also confirmed that prizes for the 2026 competitions will remain unchanged from Sinulog 2025.

The Ritual Showdown and Free Interpretation winners

received ₱3 million for first place, ₱2 million for second, ₱1.5 million for third, ₱1 million for fourth, and ₱750,000 for fifth.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, a member of the SFI Executive Committee, said some costs are being trimmed in the interest of prudence, particularly in light of calamities that hit several areas in Cebu.

“Duna tay gi-trim down. One is the prizes of the 6th to 10th placers, and naa pay uban nga nag cut-cost kay nowadays nag-suffer ta ug calamities, angay ihatag sa mga mabiktima,” Tumulak said.

He added that the festival’s operational budget dropped from ₱100 million to about ₱78 million, but stressed that this will not affect the quality of the event.

“Enough ra ni, dili ra ma-hamper. Prizes will be the same but naa tay gi-trim na mga from 6th to 10th place,” he said.

Archival said the adjustments show responsible financial management.

“Ang ako lang—the same ka successful but gamay ang gasto. This is something as an achievement kay atong kwarta gastuhon kay mas gamay man sa sauna, so advantageous ni nato,” he said.

While Cebu City will not sponsor any private parties, Archival said there will still be official festival activities across key areas in the city.

“Dili man sponsor ang city ug parties. But duna tay ibutang nga activities sa SRP, outskirts somewhere Escario, and naa’y concerts sa Plaza Independencia and naa sa may IT Park. Mga proposals nga to be finalized,” he said.

The theme for Sinulog 2026 is "United in Faith and Love," with the tagline "One Beat, One Dance, One Vision."

These were approved earlier by SFI as part of the branding for the 2026 festivities.

Meanwhile, Archival confirmed that Danao City will join Sinulog 2026 as guest performers, supporting Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who will dance with the group.

This comes despite earlier statements from Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III that the city would skip the grand parade to focus on recovery efforts after Typhoon Tino.

Danao won fourth place in last year’s Ritual Showdown but will not be competing this year.

Sinulog 2026 is set for January 18, with major Fiesta Señor activities beginning in early January.(TGP)