BACOLOD City – After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s 47th Sinulog sa Kabankalan festival from Jan. 6 to 15 was a success, said Mayor Benjie Miranda.
The street and arena competitions between eight tribes were the festival highlights on Jan. 15 in honor of Señor Santo Niño.
“Pasalamat ako sa mahal nga Dios nga ginhatagan nya kita sang maayo nga tyempo nga nag-successful ang selebrasyon. Wala sang problema kag malain nga insidente sa bug-os nga adlaw sang selebrasyon,” Miranda said.
He added that after the pandemic and typhoon “Odette” that hit the city in 2021, they celebrated this year’s festival with great joy and hope for the Kabankalanons.
Miranda said more than 30,000 visitors came to celebrate.
The mayor also noted that behind the festival’s success is the cooperation of everyone.
He thanked the street cleaners for keeping the major streets clean during the weeklong celebration.
Meanwhile, Barangay Camingawan was declared champion of the Sinulog Tribal Competition. Camingawan pocketed P120,000 in cash plus P2-million worth of projects.
Barangay Tapi was the first runner-up (P100,000 in cash and P1.5-million worth of projects); Barangay Binicuil placed second (P80,000 in cash and P1-million worth of projects); and Barangay 6 placed third (P50,000 in cash and P750,000 worth of projects).
The remaining four non-winning tribes (Barangays 1, 3, Tan-awan, and Salong) each received a consolation prize of P30,000 in cash plus P300,000 worth of projects.
Barangay Camingawan also got the Best in Street Dancing Award, Best in Choreography, Best in Costume, and Best in Tribal Banner. Barangay 6 won the Best Designer Award. They received P10,000 in cash for every special award.
Around a thousand security forces composed of the Philippine National Police and force multipliers were deployed in the city to secure safety and peace and order during the period of the festival./PN
