Cebu's two top local officials, once on bitter sides of the political fence, sat next to each other, as Msgr. Roberto Alesna called on people to unite in celebrating the annual feast of the Sto. Niño.“If we are not growing together in grace, ambot (I don't know) how the Sto. Niño feels about this,” said the priest during the Mass that formally opened the Sinulog 2009. Alesna called on elected officials to “cooperate” regardless of whether they are from the city or the provincial government, and to help those who are in need. Acting Mayor Michael Rama and Gov. Gwen Garcia led local officials and the public gathered at the Pilgrm Center of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño yesterday afternoon for the 2:30 p.m. Mass which was followed by a parade to the Fuente Osmeña and evening fireworks. In the eight days leading to the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 18, Cebu City opens itself to thousands of pilgrims and tourists. This year's festivities also offer a period of cooperation, a chance to put political bickering aside for the meantime. With Mayor Tomas Osmeña on sick leave in the United States, intramurals took a backseat as Governor Garcia sat up front with Rama, who is over-all Sinulog 2009 chairman. It was only her second time time to attend the opening event since 2006. They exchanged pleasantries, shook hands when it was time to offer the “sign of peace” during Mass and held hands during the singing of the “Our Father”. He said that the annual festivity should be celebrated “properly”. Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived past 5 p.m. in Cebu past 5 p.m. for official engagements. She was expected to arrive on Sunday yet to inspect national projects in north Cebu the following day. Acting Mayor Rama said he invited the president to attend the Jan. 18 grand parade when they met in one event held earlier. At the time, Arroyo had told him she did not want to disturb the celebration with her presence. In his homily, yesterday Alesna repeated the call of Fr. Rodolfo Bugna, OSA, for the Cebuanos to “celebrate the feast of the Sto Niño properly”. Bugna had commented in his homily during the first novena mass at the basilica that
Msgr. Alesna said the Sinulog has already been “secularized, commercialized and politicized “, which should not have been the case. “Nahadlok ako nga mahimo na lang kini nga tulumanon dili na usa ka religious ug spiritual event,” Alesna said. (I fear that this will become a habit instead of a religious and spiritual event.) Alesna mentioned a newspaper blind item where an elected official asked his colleagues to cease from using the Sinulog to pursue political plans. “Let us celebrate the feast of the Sto. Niño properly. Let us purify, sanctify and Christianize the celebration,” he said. He also called on elected officials to cooperate to help those who are in need. “Gisugo kita sa diyos. Iya kitang gi ingnan nga ang nahigugma sa diyos kinahanglan usab mag higugma sa iyang silingan,” he said. Alesna told a story about balloons that were set loose. Some balloons flew higher that the others. “What makes a person soar high is not the color or being male or female but because of what is inside each one of them,” he said. He said traits such as integrity and character are what count. After the Mass, multi-colored balloons and confetti were released. Acting Mayor Rama led city officials in an annual ritual of distributing envelopes with cash gifts to least 10 candle vendors at the basilica. A street parade kicked off at Fuente Osmena circle featuring Sinulog dancers from different schools in the city representing 13 Cebu Island festivals. The Sinulog drum beat was pounding from loudspeakers along Osmeña Boulevard as dancers in multi-colored costumes from different schools represented 13 Cebu island festivals
At 6 p.m., the dancers performed on a stage set up in front of the Fuente Osmena fountain. Among the spectators was 8-year-old David Antonio, a hydrocephallic patient, who tapped his feet while watching the dance from his wheelchair. He was with his grandmother, Rosario, who said she brought her grandson to Fuente Osmeña to pray for his immediate recovery. The boy was delighted when fireworks burst in the sky for a three-minute display after the program. Candidates for Ms. Cebu 2009 were also presented to the crowd for a pre-pageant show that saw the young women model different outfits and have a question-and-answer segment for Cebuanos to know the candidate more. The pageant which started in 1984 is now on its 25th year. | 
