Despite a significantly reduced budget, Mandaue City’s Sinulog contingent is already 90 percent ready for the Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade, with city officials assuring that the quality of the performance remains intact.
Mandaue Investment Promotions Tourism Action Center (MIPTAC) Executive Director Kristian Mark Cabahug said preparations began as early as November after Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano directed the team to start early rehearsals while keeping spending tight.
“We are already 90 percent ready. Early on, the mayor gave us the go signal to begin screening dancers, finalizing the concept, and conducting rehearsals,” Cabahug said.
This year, Mandaue City reduced its Sinulog budget from P10 million to P5 million, following Ouano’s order in response to financial pressures brought by Typhoon Tino and the September 30 earthquake.
Despite the funding cut, Cabahug said the city retained around 100 performers, including dancers and propsmen, in line with Sinulog Foundation guidelines.
Most of the dancers are returning performers from last year, although they are no longer engaged as job order workers.
“To maintain quality, we found ways so the budget cut would not affect the overall presentation. At the end of the day, what we want is to offer our halad to the Señor Sto. Niño,” Cabahug said.
Cost-saving measures include reusing and redesigning props, with repainting and recycling done to preserve visual impact without additional expense.
Mandaue will again compete in the Sinulog base category but will introduce a new creative approach under the direction of multi-awarded choreographer Manoy Jojin, a Sinulog competition veteran.
Cabahug said the concept is grounded in historical research while staying true to the traditional Sinulog form.
“Sinulog base gihapon ang among giapilan. Naa gihapon ang halad sa Sto. Niño, but with a twist. It’s something different from what people are used to,” he said.
Rehearsals are held nightly from 5 p.m. until midnight.
Cabahug noted that the absence of elaborate lighting—now restricted under Sinulog guidelines—works in the contingent’s favor, given the choreographer’s strength in traditional, prop-driven performances.
Jojin previously handled Mandaue City’s Sinulog contingent in 2023, when the city placed third in the Sinulog sa Carmen competition.
Cabahug expressed confidence that Mandaue’s delegation will once again deliver a strong and meaningful performance, showing that fiscal restraint does not diminish artistry or devotion. (VCL)
