Tuesday, January 15, 2013

...the Sinulog in Dubai


For 1st time, Sinulog festival to be held in Dubai

 
GMA News
January 15, 2013
 
 
Cebuano families in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may get their first taste of the famous Sinulog Festival there this Friday, Jan. 18, at the Al Safa Stadium in Dubai.

Dubbed the “Sinulog sa UAE Festival 2013,” the festival is expected to bring the Cebuano families in the UAE a brief sense of home.

“It will be celebrated with a Sinulog Dance Festival Competition from 8 a.m. to noon, to be followed by Festival Queen Contest from 1 to 3 p.m.,” United Cebuanos-UAE president Wendell Castro said in an interview with the UAE news site Khaleej Times.

Castro said “Sinulog sa UAE Festival 2013” is the group's first major event and a replica event of the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.

United Cebuanos—UAE is a civic organization of active professional and non-professional Cebuanos residing and working in the UAE.

Castro said Cebuanos in the UAE have had no chance to go home to join the Sinulog celebration held every third Sunday of January.

“We have decided to bring the festivity in Dubai highlighting the acronym C.E.B.U. as Camaraderie among Cebuanos, Engagement in social activities via Filipino Community, Business collaboration and employment opportunity, and Unselfish service to humanity,” he said.

Castro said the festival has been approved by the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and the Cebu City Tourism Commission, the organizers of the Sinulog annual event in the Philippines.

Sinulog promotional materials and photos featuring Cebu as a tourist destination will also be displayed at the exhibition area of the stadium.

Contests

Meanwhile, three Filipino groups will vie for the Sinulog Festival Dance Competition: St Mary’s Dance Group, Filipino Digirati Association and the Filipino Dance Sport Club.

At stake is Dh5,000 cash prize and a trophy.

“We will also give away Dh1,000 as a consolation cash prize for the other participating groups," he said.

A dance parade inside Al Safa Stadium will usher in the “Sinulog sa UAE Festival 2013,” followed by the Festival Queen Competition will start with 10 candidates.

Meanwhile, a bazaar which offers Filipino food will be held at the open stadium that can accommodate 5,000 people.

“This will celebrate the ‘Kainan’ or the eating portion of the festival,” Castro said.

During the festival, Higantes or giant papier maches - though stationary compared to the moving versions in Cebu - and banderitas will show the festive atmosphere of the Sinulog Festival. - VVP, GMA News

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