CEBU CITY — Former City mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) Board of Trustees, has expressed dismay over what he described as the foundation's marginalization in the planning and execution of the Sinulog 2025 celebration.
Rama said the SFI board of trustees, which has traditionally played a central role in the festival's direction and organization, was ignored.
"The board of trustees is highly respected, the SFI is highly respected, but they just ignored it," Rama said.
"I am really taking offense at what they have done, degrading the existence of the SFI. This is the preparation for Sinulog where the board of trustees did not even have a physical hearing," Rama added.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Rama claimed this exclusion disrespected the foundation's historical significance, adding that it was the first time the board was not physically consulted during the event preparations.
Rama pointed out that the SFI has always been responsible for declaring the festival's opening but this year, he said, the responsibility was taken over by the city government without the foundation's involvement.
He revealed he attended the event as SFI chairman despite not receiving an invitation.
Rama lamented the city government's approach, saying that attempts to coordinate between the SFI and the executive committee were largely unsuccessful.
He said he had called for meetings with SFI officials, but attendance was minimal, leading him to abandon plans for further discussions.
Rama questioned whether the Sinulog has become more of a city government initiative rather than a collective effort involving both entities.
The former mayor also raised safety concerns, citing issues such as prolonged traffic congestion and insufficient crowd control during the festivities.
Rama said these shortcomings reflected poor event management, noting how critical elements like public safety, religiosity, and spirituality appeared to be overshadowed.
He also criticized the festival's souvenir program, noting it prioritized commercial sponsorships at the expense of the event's historical and cultural value.
According to him, sponsorships were more visible than the festival's true purpose, which he found disappointing. This includes an online gambling app sponsor.
In a phone interview, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia responded to Rama's criticisms by explaining the division of roles.
He clarified that while the SFI board is responsible for setting policies and directions, the executive committee oversees the actual implementation and management of the event.
Garcia said the executive committee operated within its mandate and that day-to-day responsibilities, including event planning and execution, fell under SFI President Ricky Dakay.
He emphasized that Rama's exclusion from city government planning activities was due to his current status as a private citizen rather than a government official.
According to Garcia, any questions regarding the planning and execution within the SFI should be addressed to Dakay as those matters were beyond his jurisdiction.
The Sinulog Festival, which returned to its traditional route and venue at the Cebu City Sports Center, faced scrutiny this year, with Rama questioning the management and implementation of the event as SFI chairman.