2 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. has confirmed that the 2026 Sinulog Festival will remain at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), reinforcing his stand that the celebration must be held near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, where it all began.
It can be recalled that former mayor Michael Rama's administration faced public backlash when it moved the festival to the South Road Properties (SRP) for two consecutive years.
Festivalgoers criticized the SRP venue for being difficult to access, lacking shade, and having poor transport connectivity.
"The Sinulog will go back to the original place where it was conceptualized," Archival told reporters on Tuesday.
"More people can watch. This is worship for Señor Sto. Niño. Let's just bring it back because it's closer to the church," said Archival.
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Archival explained that while his party, Bando Osmeña–Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), supports SRP development, the Sinulog should prioritize accessibility and its religious core.
"If it's at the SRP, not everyone has a vehicle. We understand that there are a lot of disadvantages [at SRP]. ... Let's just bring it back to the original venue because it's also closer to the church. That's my point," he stressed.
The development of Cebu City's SRP is largely credited to former mayor Tomas Osmeña and his political party, BOPK.
Osmeña launched the SRP project in the early 1990s, aiming to create a major urban area that would help decongest the city's downtown and boost economic growth.
Osmeña has since returned to public office as the vice mayor-elect of Cebu City.
Outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia already brought Sinulog back to the CCSC in 2025, calling the move a "learning experience." That edition of the festival drew over four million people, setting a record and reviving downtown businesses.
Garcia took over as mayor after then-mayor Michael Rama was dismissed by the Ombudsman in October 2024 on a nepotism case.
Archival explained that Sinulog is fundamentally a worship of Sto. Niño, and while the event has taken on aspects of what some call a "mardi gras," it should be brought back because it is closer to the church.
For him, keeping the Sinulog Festival at the CCSC is not merely a logistical choice but a cultural and spiritual realignment.
