As preparations for Sinulog 2026 gain momentum, organizers have drawn a firm line on who can join the float parade: only official sponsors will be allowed.
Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) spokesperson and Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said the new policy aims to restore order, focus, and the spiritual essence of one of Cebu’s largest celebrations.
“Lahi na gyud karon ang sistema sa floats,” Tumulak said in an interview on Wednesday, January 7. “Sa una, bisan kinsa puwede moapil. Karon, part na siya sa sponsorship package.”
Under the updated guidelines, only sponsors contributing between P750,000 and P1 million can participate, with inclusion already built into their sponsorship agreements.
As of this week, at least 20 floats have registered for Sinulog 2026.
Tumulak explained that tighter rules were prompted by lessons from past festivals, when an excessive number of floats and poorly prepared entries caused parade delays and traffic congestion.
“Dili na mi mudawat ug floats nga pang-product publicity lang,” he said. “Nakita man gud nato nga usa ni sa mga hinungdan nganong nalangan ang Sinulog sauna.”
To further improve coordination, the Cebu City government and SFI will conduct pre-judging of floats ahead of the grand parade.
Organizers will review entries for compliance with size, design, and thematic requirements, giving builders time to make adjustments.
SFI also announced that float presentations must dedicate at least 70 percent of their design to the veneration of the Señor Santo Niño, with only 30 percent allowed for sponsor or brand elements.
A strict 12-foot height limit from the ground will also be enforced.
These measures follow operational challenges during Sinulog 2025, when oversized vehicles and an excessive number of entries clogged major roads and disrupted the parade flow.
City officials said the number of contingents and floats has been deliberately reduced this year as part of broader crowd management efforts.
The Sinulog sa Dakbayan competition will feature 17 official contingents, while the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 18 will follow the same carousel route used last year, with stricter controls on trailing vehicles.
Mayor Nestor Archival said the reforms aim to ensure a more organized and meaningful celebration, even as the city trims the overall Sinulog budget from P100 million to P78 million to prioritize rehabilitation for typhoon-affected communities.
Despite the funding cut, officials assured the public that major competition prizes will remain unchanged and that the quality of Sinulog 2026 will not suffer.
With the theme “United in Faith and Love,” this year’s Sinulog seeks to refocus the festival on Cebuano devotion to the Santo Niño, placing faith at the center while keeping celebrations disciplined, purposeful, and on schedule. (LLP)
