BACOLOD City – After celebrations of the 48th Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend, some government employees were entitled to a “rest day,” but the city hall assured that business is as usual.
Mayor Benjie Miranda said employees who worked during the festival’s highlight may take a day off today, Jan. 22.
This year’s edition of the Sinulog sa Kabankalan ran from Jan. 12 until 21.
“And because there is a need to clean the city after the festival, some employees must have to work,” the mayor added.
Miranda said the 10-day annual event has been successful and peaceful with everyone’s cooperation.
There were 10 barangays that joined the tribal competition: Tan-Awan (No. 1 – Red), Binicuil (No. 2 – Green), Bantayan (No. 3 – Gray), Orong (No. 4 – Blue), 6 (No. 5 – Orange), Talubangi (No. 6 – Pink), Hilamonan (No. 7 – Black), Camingawan (No. 8 – White), 1 (No. 9 – Yellow), and Tagoc (No. 10 – Purple).
A substantial P2 million worth of projects was earmarked for the champion of the Sinulog sa Kabankalan Tribal Competition. The champion barangay tribe will also receive a cash prize of P120,000 and a trophy.
Prizes for runners-up include:
* P1,500,000 worth of project, P100,000 cash, and a trophy for the 1st runner-up;
* P1,000,000 worth of project, P80,000 cash, and a trophy for the 2nd runner-up; and
* P750,000 worth of project, P50,000 cash, and a trophy for the 3rd runner-up.
Each tribe was also provided by the city with a subsidy of P1 million each.
The winners of the competition are yet to be announced as of this writing.
The Sinulog sa Kabankalan is influenced by the warrior festival of the Dinagyang in Iloilo City and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan.
People flock to the streets to celebrate the festivity while staining each other with ground charcoal softened with water and some with oil.
This tradition has been practiced for years now, and no one on the street, regardless of status or attire, is exempt from being stained. (With details from Inquirer.net)/PN
