Carcar, Bais win big in Sinulog 2025

Local

THE Sinulog 2025 Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown proved to be a showcase of cultural pride and creative expression, with Carcar City and Bais City emerging as the standout winners.

The two cities took home millions in cash prizes, demonstrating their continued excellence in regional cultural celebrations.

Carcar delivered an impressive performance, securing top positions in both the Sinulog-based and Street Dancing categories. Meanwhile, Bais City earned first place in the Free Interpretation category, highlighting their innovation in honoring the Señor Santo Niño.

The Sinulog-based category, which celebrates the traditional Sinulog dance in tribute to the Santo Niño, reflects Cebu’s deep-rooted cultural heritage. In contrast, the Free Interpretation category allowed for creative freedom, encouraging dancers to incorporate diverse choreography, imaginative costumes, and bold new themes—all while remaining focused on the spirit of the festival.

Sinulog-based Category

Carcar City swept the Sinulog-based Ritual Showdown, claiming a cash prize of P3,000,000 for their outstanding performance. Their thematic entry resonated with the audience, reflecting the cultural values tied to the Sinulog.

Mandaue City earned second place with P2,000,000, and Talisay City secured third place with P1,500,000. Danao City came in fourth with P1,000,000, while the Inayawan Talents Guild from Cebu City rounded out the top five with P750,000.

Mandaue was also awarded the Best in Costume prize, which added P100,000 to their winnings.

Free Interpretation

Bais City showcased their creative prowess, winning first place in the Free Interpretation category with the "Festival of Harvest," a performance that earned P3,000,000.

Tribu Masadyaon from Toledo City captured second place, taking home P2,000,000. Lapu-Lapu City secured third place with P1,500,000, while Lumad Basakanon from Cebu City ranked fourth with P1,000,000. Tribu Malipayon from Consolacion rounded out the top five with P750,000.

In addition to their performance, Tribu Masadyaon won the Best in Costume award, bringing home an extra P100,000.

Street Dancing

In the Street Dancing competition, Carcar City continued their winning streak, taking first place and earning a cash prize of P1,000,000. Their lively and precise execution in the competition captured the spirit of Sinulog in grand fashion.

Cebu City’s Lumad Basakanon earned second place with P700,000, while Bais City’s “Festival of Harvest” took third with a P500,000 prize. Dumaguete City’s Sandurot Festival captured fourth place, receiving P300,000, and Kidapawan City’s Performing Arts Guild completed the top five with P200,000.

MassKara Festival

The Sinulog 2025 celebrations were further enriched by several special guest contingents, including Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival.

This marks the second consecutive year that the MassKara contingent has participated, dazzling spectators with its vibrant colors and dynamic performances.

MassKara dancer Jeffrey shared to MyTV Cebu excitement: “We were overwhelmed by the warm reception and the impact on the people here,” he said in Filipino.

Other category winners

In the Sinulog-based competition’s Musicality category, Carcar City claimed first place, followed by Mandaue City and the Banauan Cultural Group, which won second and third places, respectively. Other notable mentions included Inayawan Talents Guild and Sinulog sa Carmen.

In the Free Interpretation’s Musicality category, Tribu Masadyaon claimed top honors. Baile Filipina Dance Guild from Dipolog City took second, while Dumaguete’s Sandurot Festival finished third. Lapu-Lapu City and Tanglawan Festival from San Jose Del Monte completed the top five. Details on the prize amounts for Best in Musicality are yet to be announced.

Float, Higante, and Puppeteers

The Float competition saw IPI Main Float win first place, followed by The Sleep Specialist (Uratex) in second, and Bellyshayce Foods, Inc. in third.

In the Higante category, "Mangingistorya" (Storyteller) claimed the top spot, while "Festival Queen" and "The World’s Intertwine" earned second and third places, respectively.

The Puppeteers category saw Orly Johnson A. Fuentes dominate, securing both first and second places, with Christine C. Ermac taking third for her remarkable puppetry performance.(MyTVCebu)