Cebu City has allowed gender-nonconforming dancers to wear women’s costumes in the Sinulog 2026 Grand Parade, following a directive from Mayor Nestor Archival granting temporary approval for their participation under the Sinulog-Based category.
In a letter dated December 5, 2025, addressed to Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Jojo Labella, Archival said it would be impractical and unfair to require contingents to change their choreography and costumes at this stage of preparations.
“I am granting temporary approval for gender-nonconforming dancers to compete wearing women’s costumes for this year’s event. At this point, it would be impractical and unfair to require changes that would disrupt their ability to participate,” Archival said.
He said that while Sinulog remains a religious and cultural celebration, it should not exclude members of the community based on gender expression.
“Sinulog embodies compassion, unity, and acceptance… We must ensure that the festival does not become confined to rigid gender norms that may unintentionally exclude or marginalize members of our community,” he said.
Labella said the matter had been resolved several days earlier after organizers agreed on certain points within the bounds of decency and moral standards, in line with the mayor’s intent.
Earlier, organizers reported that preparations for Sinulog 2026 are now 60 percent complete, with about a month remaining before the festival.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, who sits on the SFI executive committee, said contingents, barangays, and municipalities are preparing their presentations and that stage construction at the Cebu City Sports Center is ongoing.
“As of now, base sa percentage preparation, naa nata sa 60%. Ang contingents nag-ready na… Ang stage is ready na pod — gamay nalang gyud ang kulang, ang landing ra gyud,” Tumulak said.
He said SFI is addressing funding gaps after the city reduced the Sinulog 2026 budget from P90 million to P78 million to redirect funds to calamity victims.
“We requested the marketing team to raise more funds kay nakita nato nga ang expenses dako kaayo…” Tumulak said, adding that more private donors have come forward this year.
Organizers said they are preparing additional mobile bleachers along the parade route and reminding the public to follow crowd-control protocols.
They also said concerts and parties will continue to be restricted to the South Road Properties.
The city finalized route coordination with barangays and the Cebu City Transportation Office.
Following the mayor’s directive, organizers said they are shortening the program by capping contingents at 35, tightening float specifications, requiring mandatory inspections, ending activities by 7 p.m., and scheduling fireworks earlier in the evening.
They said all floats must comply with the 70 percent religious content rule, limiting commercial branding to 30 percent.
A total of 37 contingents have confirmed participation in the Grand Parade, including 12 out-of-town groups and six from Cebu Province. Danao City and the MassKara Festival delegation will participate as guest contingents.
Some local government units, including Talisay City, opted out this year to focus on disaster response after Typhoon Tino.
Organizers said Sinulog 2026 will continue to be held at the Cebu City Sports Center to preserve the festival’s roots and core identity. (LLP)
