Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said organizers are planning to retain the same grand prizes for Sinulog 2027, with next year’s celebration expected to have a budget of P90 million to P100 million.
“The prizes, mopareha ra gihapon. Same prizes, this year,” Archival said in an interview.
However, the proposed budget and other festival plans have yet to be finalized as organizers continue preparations for the annual celebration.
Archival said organizers are also exploring ways to improve the festival experience, including measures to help festivalgoers cope with potentially hotter weather.
Proposals include installing additional water stations and possibly setting up misting stations, particularly if El Niño conditions bring higher temperatures during the festivities.
The mayor said the proposed misting systems would require careful planning because they would also consume water.
Organizers are also considering whether to include fireworks or a drone display in next year’s celebration. Archival said these options remain under discussion and would depend on their feasibility.
Meanwhile, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) has started accepting expressions of interest from contingents planning to join the 2027 Grand Parade.
SFI Executive Director Elmer Labella earlier said interested groups could coordinate with the foundation ahead of the registration deadline, which is expected around Dec. 1.
The final number of participating contingents remains uncertain as groups work on securing funding and meeting other requirements.
Sinulog 2026 had about 40 contingents, 37 of which competed. Organizers had reduced participation in recent years to prevent parade delays and keep performances from extending late into the night.
For 2027, organizers intend to retain measures to improve the parade’s flow, including closer monitoring of performances and restrictions on activities that could cause delays.
The Cebu City Sports Center will remain the venue for the Grand Parade, although organizers are studying possible adjustments to parts of the route to ease congestion.
Labella earlier said Sinulog 2026 drew about 5.2 million people, making crowd management a key consideration for next year’s celebration.
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