07/01/2023
Annyeong!
Catch the Hwacheon Beomamgol Nongak Preservation Association - Taegeuk Corporation 사단법인한국전통문화예술원 태극 on Jan. 13, 6pm at Plaza Independencia, and on Jan. 15 as they join Sinulog 2023 as guest contingent.
거리에서 보자!
TOP STORY: Another Korean group is set to showcase their talents in Cebu, this time during the Sinulog 2023.
The Korean performers are expected to arrive on January 11.
Last December, a group from Jeju Island performed at the Dagitab Festival in Naga City, Cebu.
This time around, they are Korean performers from the Hwacheon Beomamgol Nongak Preservation Association of Wonju City.
The group will be led by Sim Jea Rang, the Director and choreographer Lee Jong Hwa from South Korea's Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival.
The Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival is where several Sinulog Grand Champions were able to perform and represent the Philippines. The latest was Don Juan and Angelfire who were declared 2022 Grand Prize Winners, the only foreign group to have won the title in the history of their festival.
Sinulog champions like Tribu Lumad Basakanon and Tribu Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City both won bronzes in the said carnival in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
The Koreans will be guest performers on two occasions, one on January 13 at the Plaza Independencia and the final performance during the grand parade on January 15 at the South Road Properties.
Aside from showcasing their wares, the group will also be here for cultural exchange and observe Sinulog productions.
The Korean performers are also expected to invite the winners in this year’s Sinulog to join festivals in South Korea, in return.
“Their participation will be a big boost to Cebu's and the country's tourism since the number one tourists in the country are Koreans. It has been observed also that Cebu is very popular among Korean tourists, not only for beaches, malls, food, and the festivals of course, like the Sinulog,” said former Sinulog Foundation’s Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros and president of the Korea Philippines Festival Cultural Exchange Association (KPFCEA).
Last year, South Korea-based organization named Cebu City's Sinulog as one of the top three festivals in Asia in May 2022.
The International Events and Festivals Association (IFEA) selected Cebu City's Sinulog along with the Pattaya Fireworks Festival in Thailand, and the Hansan Battle Festival of Tongyeong City, South Korea last March 25, 2022 as the top festivals of Asia during the Ocean Tourism Festival City Forum in Tongyeong, South Korea.
Ballesteros also disclosed that, in 2021, Sinulog was one of the festivals which was highlighted and chosen as one of the finalists as Most Popular in Asia held in Boryeong South Korea during the Boryeong Mud Festival and was awarded as the most Popular Festival in Asia in 2018 during the 6th Korea Festival Contents Grand Prix for the Asian Popularity Festival Award which was held in Seoul, South Korea.
With this recognition, Sinulog is very popular among Koreans that aside from the arriving Korean performers, some Korean tourists are also expected to join the revelries here aside from showing support to their fellow Koreans' performance. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/GAN
