PADUA, Italy — Despite of the very cold weather, Filipinos flocked here to witness the celebration of the annual Grand Sinulog Festival on Sunday, January 22, 2012.
The 7th annual celebration of the Feast of Sto. Nino de Cebu proved to be a success as several thousands of Filipinos from different parts of Italy as well as Austria and Switzerland came to be part of the extravagant feast which is fast becoming popular among other nationalities.
The first Sto. Nino singing competition kicked off this year’s Sinulog. It was followed by a concelebrated holy mass led by Maasin Bishop Most Rev. Precioso D. Cantillas , Chairman of CBCP-Episcopal Commission for Migrants and Itinerant People.
Bishop Cantillas conveyed the greetings of Pope Benedict XVI thru the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
In his his homily, Bishop Cantillas, emphasized that the feast was a celebration of Catholic faith and was not just a cultural event nor a social event. “Dapat mas pairalin natin, mas bigyan natin ng higit na halaga ang ating pananampalatayang Katoliko, hindi lamang yun ating kulturang Pilipino o yung ating pamumuhay na sosyal upang makilala natin ang ating mga kababayan mula sa ibang dako ng Italya o ng mundo”
Mardi gras competition
Despite of the Catholic church call to make festivities simple, different contingents for the mardi gras competition showcased their extravagant costumes as everyone bids to goes home with the award.
The parade and street dancing and presentation of the Sinulog queen marked the start of the competition proper. Colourful, lavish costumes wowed Pinoys and other nationalities specially Italians.
The lively atmosphere resisted the freezing cold Sunday afternoon as different contingents performed their interpretation of the birth of Christianity in Cebu.
The Vis-Min Veneto and Friends contingent bagged four awards including Best in choreography for Street dancing, Best in Costume, Best in Props and the Sinulog Queen 2012.
Kapunungan sa mga Bisaya sa Austria was adjudged Best in choreography for ground presentation. It was the group’s fourth consecutive win.
Best in Music went to the Filipino Chaplaincy of Treviso while the Best in Banner award was given to the Filipino Chaplaincy of Vicenza.
The Filipino Chaplaincy of Padova was given the Best in Mascot award while Cebuanos and Friends of Milan was the Most numbered dance performer in a contingent. Sinulog Padova 2012 also has its own official theme song entitled “Santo Nino Dalan ko: and was performed by the Veneto Mens Choir, the official choir for the celebration .
Rev. Father Oscar Ca
dayona, PhL, STL, Chaplain, Filipino Chaplaincy of Padova explained that the preparation of Sinulog 2012 was centered on spiritual aspect. He said that this year’s celebration commenced with a nine-day novena unlike the previous six celebrations.
Meanwhile Rev. Father Elmer Bumanglang, SVD, Chaplain, Vicenza Filipino Chaplaincy said that they are responding on the Italian bishops’ call on to 10-year project of faith-rekindling and strengthening by educating oneself. He also said that they will make the Sinulog celebration simplier in the following years “Sa darating na panahon ng mga selebrasyon ay pagsusumikapan naming muli na kung saan, ika nga, na hindi masyadong ma focus sa cultural o kung saan man mga accent ang selebrasyon .
Bergamo will host the Sinulog 2013. (by: Zita Baron – photos by: United Pinoygrapehrs Club UPC)
COMPETITION WINNERS:
Sto. Niño Song Competition
(Solo Category)
– Best Interpreter
Associazione Culturale Filippina di Piemonte-Torino
(Group Category)
– Best Interpreter
Associazione Culturale Filippina di
Piemonte-Torino
Mardi Gras Dance Competition
1. Best in Choreography
For Street Dancing
– Vis Min Veneto & Friends
1st Place
– kapunungan sa mga Bisaya sa
Austria
2nd Place
– Cebuanos & Friends of Milano
3rd Place
2. Best in Choreography
for Ground Presentation
– Kapunungan sa mga Bisaya
sa Austria
1st Place
– Vis Min Veneto & Friends
2nd Place
– The Filipino Chaplaincy
of Treviso
3rd Place
3. Best in Costume
– Vis Min Veneto & Friends
1st Place
– The Filipino Chaplaincy
of Padova
2nd Place
– Cebuanos & Friends of Milano
3rd Place
4. Best in Props
– Vis Min Veneto & Friends
5. Best in Banner
– The Filipino Chaplaincy
of Vicenza
6. Best in Music
– The Filipino Chaplaincy
of Treviso
7. Best in Mascot
– The Filipino Chaplaincy of Padova
8. Most Numbered Dance Performer In a Contingent
– Cebuanos & Friends of Milano
Sinulog Festival Queen:
– Vis Min Veneto & Friends
1st Place
– The Filipino Chaplaincy of Padova
2nd Place
– The Filipino Catholic Community of Bassano del Grappa
3rd Place
– kapunungan sa mga Bisaya sa
Austria
4th Place
– The Filipino Chaplaincy of Treviso
5th Place
– Associazione Culturale Filippina di
Piemonte-Torino
6th Place
– Cebuanos & Friends of Milano
7th Place
– The Filipino Chaplaincy of Vicenza
8th Place
