- 1 day ago
What goes into a successful festival—and what comes after? ✨
On Beyond the Headlines, Councilor Nice Archival, Tourism Chair, shares insights on Sinulog’s success and Cebu’s preparations for hosting the Asean Summit. 💡
On Beyond the Headlines, Councilor Nice Archival, Tourism Chair, shares insights on Sinulog’s success and Cebu’s preparations for hosting the Asean Summit. 💡
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🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
01:30Today, we focus on the highly successful Sinulog 2026, which brought the city to life.
01:36We will also talk about what Cebu is doing to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum later this month.
01:43Can you hear the beat?
01:44Joining us is Counselor Nice Archibald, one of the key figures behind Cebu's festival celebrations and our city's growing tourism initiatives.
01:57Good afternoon, Counselor Nice, and welcome to the show.
02:01Yes, good afternoon. It's good to be back here and belated pit, senor.
02:07Yes, and maybe you would like to greet your millions of followers who are watching.
02:13Hello, everyone. Mayong hapon, kanatong tanan.
02:16Okay.
02:20So, Sinulog is not just a festival, especially for us in Cebu.
02:27It's a celebration.
02:28It's tradition.
02:29Yes, it's a celebration of faith.
02:32It's tradition.
02:33It's heritage.
02:34So, personally, what does the festival or the celebration mean to you?
02:40Yes.
02:41So, Sinulog is very, very close to my heart.
02:44Why? Because when I was younger or when I was a little girl, Fuente, the Fuente Circle, is near my dad's office.
02:52Yes.
02:52So, it's in Doña Rita building.
02:55So, that's near the KFC.
02:57So, that's where we usually watch the Sinulog Festival every year when my dad was still around.
03:03So, it's very, very close to my heart.
03:04He would always let us wake up early in the morning just so we can secure that seat near where the contingents would pass by.
03:15So, it's very close, very, very soft and near my heart because of the fact when I was younger, I used to just watch it.
03:26Now, I'm one of parts of how Sinulog ran this year.
03:32So, it's very overwhelming.
03:35At the same time, it's very heartwarming that I am able to be part of how the whole parade would or the whole festival would be.
03:44So, it was truly grand, no?
03:46Yes.
03:46At least from what I saw.
03:48Yes.
03:48It's very grand and it's very good that we place it back to the original route where everybody is able to come watch compared to the time when they place it in SRP.
04:01I could see already the outcome and the result but were you able to get your beauty rest after?
04:07No, unfortunately, I was not able.
04:09Oh, it doesn't show.
04:10It's just the makeup.
04:12But I was not able yet because of the fact after Sinulog, the Sinulog actually festival was a very short notice because of the fact, of course, our city had different calamities, of course, which you cannot control.
04:29So, we had little time to actually prepare for the festival but we are very happy that everything went well and a lot of people have been giving positive feedbacks with the festival.
04:44So, from your perspective, because you also this time have a significant role to play in the celebration and also in the tourism initiatives of the city, from your perspective, what made it very successful?
04:59Usually, how a festival would be successful is not only the people that organizes it but the Cebuano spirit itself.
05:09That's how Sinulog brings its life towards the festival.
05:15It's us Cebuanos who make it a very happy place and very welcoming place to everyone who wants to celebrate with us, especially to honor our Senior Santo Nino.
05:27The ones, the devotees that we have and of course, we can't also deny the fact that we also have people that are coming here to enjoy the festival itself, how we are very lively and we all know Cebuanos are very welcoming and we are very kind to those who especially who are from out of town.
05:48So, I think that's one reason why Sinulog has always been the grandest festival ever is because of us Cebuanos.
05:55Which I also agree, because it's also the environment that helps create the vibe.
06:02Now, in the context of the operations side, among the noticeable difference, at least that I saw, is on the time management.
06:14And in fact, one of our Sun Star reporters, Iceri Ann Birador, actually pointed out that in the history of Sinulog, this was the first time that it was finished.
06:25Early, yes, that's correct.
06:26Early, yes, that's correct.
06:27And then, just to highlight the efficiency, and this is not to make comparisons, in the same article actually that Cheri also wrote, I was very impressed when I saw the data that she presented because she said that last year had 43 contingents and it ended at 11 p.m.
06:47But for this year, it's 43 contingents, so just three less, but ended at 8 p.m., including the fireworks display.
06:58So, what made this possible?
07:00I think what made everything possible is the whole coordination of everyone.
07:08From the Sinulog Foundation, we also have Execoms.
07:14We are four counselors.
07:15That's me, counselor Philip Zafra, counselor Dave Tumulak, and of course, counselor Paul Labra.
07:24So, all of us really had very heavy duties to really make sure and coordinate with the SFI and all the national agencies that we had from our production team to really make it efficient and organized so that we get to start early.
07:44And of course, whenever one person actually pointed out that Mayor Nestor did not really prolong his speeches, it was more like, welcome and then go to the festival right away.
08:00And then, the production team, of course, headed by Mami Victor Cuenco, was very efficient with the time.
08:06They were very strict with the contingents that after you present yourselves, you have to exit right away.
08:13No more anything else.
08:15And then, there was a timer specifically.
08:18If you've seen on, if you're in the grandstand, then you would be able to see that there is a certain time limit for every contingent.
08:26And the audience would even see.
08:28They would say 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
08:30Yeah, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
08:31And then, it starts right away with or without.
08:34If you're not ready or you are, then it will start right away.
08:38So, I think that's one thing that really made everything really smooth because of the time that, you know, that was the strict rules that we implemented for the contingents itself.
08:49And we're very thankful that they also, mismo the contingents, also abided by the rules that were given to them.
08:56So, I think that's how it made everything more smooth.
09:02And as well, of course, our people because right after the contingents would go down, of course, we have our disaster people that could faint there.
09:12So, the disaster people that could faint there right away, and of course, the props right away, thankfully, their props men as well, they were very close to them.
09:21They already know that they were on the right side of the Viramay area.
09:26They already know where, you know, so everything is just by smoothly done.
09:31The other thing also that I thought would have an impact was the change in the rules that there will be no lights for those in their props, for those performing in the evening.
09:48But personally, I also saw that the contingents leveled up to compensate for the no lights.
09:57So, the performance, in my opinion, remained quality, you know, high quality in Japan.
10:01So, what are your thoughts also about the process, the thought process around it?
10:06Yeah, I think for me, said personally, you know, if you're an audience, you know, not from someone that's organizing it, but someone who is a spectator in the grandstand, if you want to see the whole performance, of course,
10:20nindot mangyod nga na ay lights, naadjoy effect ang lights that, you know, that would sparkle within our eyes nga mo, like,
10:27ala kanindot yod. But then, if you really think about it, yod, on the organizer side, it's also unfair to those contingents who would perform in the morning.
10:36Because if you're in the night, if you already know nga, ah, sa gabi, imantam or perform, naadjo tayo lights dapat.
10:42So, katong mga naas na morning, of course, makalimta na to sila because wala man sila, you know, added effect of the lights.
10:48but as the as the as the festival during pag sunday makitaan yun ni munga okira mandi walay lights
10:56makaya raman di i mean if you've seen the ones that won kaya rajud kayo and they still gave the
11:03same quality that we wanted to see in the festival in the grandstand and a number of the winners even
11:11performed during daytime yes most of them that bilaran performed after around before lunchtime
11:19yes and toledo also performed there was still sun sun yes around mga three they performed i remember
11:26it if i'm not mistaken so it proves a point na makaya ragud even if there are slight or a big
11:32change in the rules na walay lights then they would still give performance quality performances to
11:39the people but just like in every success story there there's always room to grow so what were
11:47the areas in which you saw that hmm i think we need to level up in this i think um one uh thing that i
11:58also as well as the mayor pointed out was um masakitan give me with basura which is one thing
12:07one thousand tons yes it's a very big problem good um every in any siguro festival or any event that you're
12:16holding the trash is the biggest problem you'd afterwards you know the egress it
12:25um and i think one thing that we really want to um siguro push for the next festival is that every contingent
12:33половation comes the authority is at the top we want us to pick up you know and that we already
12:42continue and there's lots of people who都 instruction and they TR Kontstanding uh you know is that people
12:47should bring their own someone to guide you know let you know them reach you to their
12:51meal you know they are in the streets then there there there are ropes that's um um that is being
12:54So, I think that's one thing that we could really do by next year. Hopefully, we should be able to continue.
13:01And also by some spectators, we actually, if you've seen some pictures online, we deployed actually people who are driving a trash ban.
13:14It's not something that we don't have that much. You know, it's 4.5 million people that came here to celebrate with us.
13:29So, 5.2, I do apologize. 5.2, the spectators. So, that's a huge amount of crowd.
13:38And hopefully, by next year, we can do something less and good on trash.
13:43Because of course, you know, it is a big problem in our city.
13:47I think the idea of deploying water stations and encouraging people to bring their tumblers is already a big help.
13:59But I think we just need to, in my opinion, add more stations.
14:03Yes, actually. So, it's just a huge amount.
14:08And it's something that, you know, sometimes, it's something that, you know, sometimes,
14:12it's something we cannot also...
14:14Nana Judd is a big help in the yard.
14:16And, you know, during that time, if you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid, you're a kid.
14:20You know, we have that mentality sometimes.
14:24But hopefully, by this year, we will be pushing more Judd on and letting people bring their own tumblers to help lessen Judd trash in our city.
14:37And of course, by the out-of-town guests that we have, they can also follow since they've seen us mismo, Cebuanos, we are doing it ourselves.
14:47And hopefully, they will be applying for them by next year.
14:52The other thing also that I heard is there were also comments about sustainability of the fireworks.
14:58Yeah.
14:59And your team, you are also thinking about some innovative approaches that could be considered for next year.
15:08Yes.
15:09Yeah.
15:10I think if you saw the morning opening, we actually emerged indoor fireworks.
15:16I think it was just like a powder that we used.
15:19And hopefully by next year, we get to think of maybe something else for the sustainability of fireworks.
15:26But fireworks is something that people would always look for everywhere.
15:32Some people would even run or die to run towards a certain area so that we can only see fireworks.
15:38That was 20 minutes, no?
15:39Yes.
15:4020 minutes of fireworks.
15:41So, I think everybody was very happy with the fireworks.
15:45And I think at the same time, the other establishments, they started with the fireworks.
15:51Yeah.
15:52The BuBusiness Park.
15:53I know.
15:54They started with fireworks with the ending of it.
15:58So, hopefully, we get to think of more sustainable ideas with fireworks.
16:03Hopefully, someone also provides or gives us ideas.
16:07If once we can replace with fireworks, that would give the same quality of wow factor to our spectators.
16:17So, going back to the Sinulog and then moving forward eventually to the preparation also that you and your team are also doing for the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum.
16:29What is the Sebuano Spirit?
16:32Although you've mentioned it in passing earlier that we should sustain so that we carry it through from one festival to another.
16:42Because that's already inherent in us.
16:45Yes.
16:46I think, siguro, it just passes by naturally to our younger generations and how Sinulog truly is.
16:57And I think one thing that I would like to really want to remind the younger generation is that, you know, Sinulog is not only about, you know, the happy, the parties, and all that.
17:11It's more on the faith you'd towards our beloved senior, San Antonio, which is sometimes kind of missed sa younger generations.
17:18But as long as we, you know, give information and feed them on why we celebrate this certain festival, I think we would go further, Pag-Yod more, and siguro influence these younger ones.
17:36But actually, I've seen when my, I've seen younger, when I go to Novena Masses, I'm very glad that I would see, you know, younger generations in high school that they would go with their barcadas.
17:50So, I thought nga, wala pag-yoday na wa ang kanyang pag-salig o pag-ampu sa atuang senior San Antonio.
17:59And in several episodes ago, we guested Father Soliman, you know, and then he mentioned, and that was also my takeaway of sa interview when he said na everything else is just an expression of our love for God and our gratitude, you know, for being loved unconditionally.
18:20So, part of that expression then is the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum.
18:25So, tell us more about this one because it's already happening later this month, no?
18:30Yes, January.
18:31So, the ASEAN Summit, good siya actually.
18:35The whole Cebu is actually involved in it.
18:38So, Lapu-Lapu is involved, Mandawi is involved, Cebu Province is involved, and of course, Cebu City is involved as well.
18:45The Cebu City government or the LGU Cebu City itself is, ang gihatag sa atuang is we will be holding the heritage tour.
18:58Yes, so, I think that is what is Cebu most known for as a heritage city.
19:05So, we will be holding, they will be doing the first tour on January 25.
19:11Then we have January 28 and January 29.
19:14So, where will they go during these dates?
19:18So, they will be staying in New Star Hotel.
19:22And then by New Star, they will be going to the Plaza Subo, which is in front of City Hall, of course.
19:28They will be greeted by Mayor Nestor.
19:31And then they will be walking, going towards Magellan's Cross.
19:35So, they will be seeing Magellan.
19:37They will go inside Basilica.
19:40And then they will go exit towards Zamora Street.
19:46Right across.
19:48I think Delinium.
19:49Going to Cathedral.
19:50Yes, that's correct.
19:52That street, yeah.
19:53That small street, no?
19:54That small street there.
19:55Yes.
19:56So, after that, they will be in Cathedral.
19:58Then they will be going to Fort San Pedro.
20:01It's a walking tour, no?
20:02They will be riding, actually.
20:03Oh, they will be riding.
20:04Yes, they will be riding.
20:05Walking.
20:06Okay, continue, continue.
20:07Yes, they will be riding to Fort San Pedro.
20:09And then, right after Fort San Pedro, they will be, I'm not sure if, because they actually changed routes.
20:16So, actually, they were meeting me earlier in City Hall.
20:19I heard.
20:20I'm scared there.
20:23Because, for the love.
20:26No, thing is also, Grace is also giving me updates on where you are.
20:33Continue, continue.
20:34So, I think after Cathedral, either they will be going to the Cologne Obelisk to Parian or going to Casa Gerardo.
20:45Then, I think they will be going to Fort Orda Plaza or Fort San Pedro.
20:50I'm not, they changed routes, actually.
20:53So, I tried to verify it.
20:55Before I left, but then we're like the time constraints.
20:59And thank you for making time and joining us today.
21:01Continue.
21:02So, that's our, those are the pinpoints language for the heritage tour.
21:07So, the most one is the Plaza Sugbo, the Magellan's Cross, of course, Santo Nino, the Parian, Casa Gerardo, Fort San Pedro, and of course, maapil na lang po gamay ang National Museum.
21:21Yeah, I love the National Museum.
21:23They will also be, they will be, they will be, they will be, they will be experiencing that in Fort San, instead of walking.
21:31Yes, instead of walking.
21:32But only from Fort San Pedro going to National Museum.
21:36So, that's small, siguro, mga 50 meters lang siyang area.
21:41Yes.
21:42Sige.
21:42So, aside from the official meetings, will there be some public events also that the other Sabuanos can witness or participate?
21:54Unfortunately, they cannot stay really long, actually.
21:59The delegates won't be staying super long, actually, in certain areas, because they also have other things to do.
22:08Schedule.
22:09Yes, they have different schedules.
22:11So, actually, our time is very limited lang yod siya.
22:15Mauna ang yod yod, sigurado nga dapat on time sila.
22:18And then, everything is just very smooth lang yod during their time in the Heritage Tour, since very fast kayo-paced ang ilahang tour.
22:29And with, you know, we cannot also make it a little bit longer, because of course, it's a CN Summit, so it's international.
22:36So, we cannot just insert certain alibis there, or alibi schedules there.
22:43That's a good term, alibi schedules.
22:45No, no, no, but personally, I can also see still the time management part.
22:52And, taas-taas sad yod ilhang schedules.
22:55And, that's why it's a very short amount of time.
22:58That's why we really have to make it short, but very quality to them.
23:03Because this is also how we could attract tourists, because there are buyers with them, you know, that, oh, we go to Cebu because it's this and like this and like that.
23:12So, it's one way that we could attract more and let the other countries see how we are, how Cebu is.
23:22And you mentioned about the buyers, which triggered a question inside my head, in which I will have to ask you.
23:29So, what's the composition, Di, of the delegates who are coming?
23:34So, who are they, what do they do, and what are they bringing to the table?
23:39So, they are different, they're from different countries, and some of them are more on the tourism side, sad yod.
23:50So, this is, it's a big impact for tourism, because this is how, there are big representatives for tourism in their countries.
23:58So, it's one way, and also, of course, government officials from them are also coming in as well.
24:03So, it's a big opportunity for us to show, to showcase our city, our heritage, our history, how rich we are in history,
24:13and how they can bring also, how they can also convince their constituents to come to our place,
24:20and how we are valuable, and how we can give them a very good experience when they come to our city.
24:27No, actually, when you mentioned, my good buyer, my good buyer, my good buyer, my good buyer, synonymous to opportunity.
24:33Yeah, and opportunities.
24:36So, it was music to my ears when you mentioned buyer.
24:40So, anyhow, in Beyond the Headlines, we would always want to translate an event into how it impacts the everyday Filipinos or everyday Cebuanos.
24:51So, for our viewers watching, how does an event as big as this one will eventually benefit them?
25:02Yes.
25:03So, very good question.
25:06At this ASEAN Summit, actually, we and Mayor actually made a task force within the LGU.
25:14So, within our, within the government, so it's, it's, it's me, and then all the other different departments.
25:22And I specifically told or, you know, wanted this ASEAN Summit na maglimpyo ta, maghapsay ta sa itong mga heritage sites.
25:34But not only for ASEAN alone, it's something that I want to do for the rest of, siguro, this everyday nagyod na, this is what we should be, this is, should be the standard of how our city would look like.
25:48Even after.
25:49Even after ASEAN Summit.
25:51So, this is one of, siguro, the goals of Mayor Nestor, if you've heard of his goal, by 2035, it's smart, sustainable, and inclusive Cebu City by 2035.
26:02So, I think that's one of the goals that we really want to achieve in our city is that, you know, limpyo giyod ato ang kadalanan, walay daghan basura, it's tidy, everybody is in order.
26:14So that, it does not only, this isn't only for the, you know, for us, but for the whole constituents of Cebu City, nga, madisiplina gita og paglabay.
26:28And I think that's one thing that really, that points out good in a city when there are tourists that come around.
26:33It's always going to be, they're always going to be pointing out basura, and how, the cleanliness of our city.
26:40So, it's something that I really, or would want to see in our city for the next years to come, and hopefully for the rest, you know, of how Cebu City would look like in, siguro, in 10 years from now.
26:52And, and there's something that you said that I, personally, I also like, because, like, for example, if we translate Cebu to a home, and then ay bisita, manglimpyo maginta sabay.
27:04Yes, that's correct.
27:05But, unfortunately, the habit is not sustained after the visitor leaves, so I'm glad that I think we're conscious that we're leveling up the facilities of the city, and when we want to keep it that way, which is good.
27:19Now, I will, I would just have to address two elephants in the room.
27:23Dili si Tanjay, si Kenneth.
27:25So, elephant number one is infrastructure, which is synonymous to traffic, and then elephant number two is flooding.
27:36And, and the reason why I have to bring that up, because everyday Filipinos, everybody, everyone would always say that,
27:42how can tourists also come to, to Cebu, no?
27:45If we are also faced with challenges.
27:50I know this has been kind of compounded through time, it's not just for this term, no?
27:56But, are there also kind of, at least, solutions that you are seeing in the horizon for us to be able to address the two elephants?
28:05Yes.
28:06So, for the, for the two elephants, for the two elephants, I think these are the biggest, siguro, challenges in our city.
28:14One of the, one of the, one of the, two of the biggest, you know, challenges that our city.
28:20Two of the biggest elephants.
28:21Yes.
28:21Two of the biggest, it's one of the biggest.
28:23One, of course, our infrastructure, which would go through our traffic.
28:30And, I think, it's really good to, you know, traffic is one of the biggest problems in our city.
28:36And, how we could, eventually, you know, how can we shift things from, you know, to getting this traffic to, to not be very congested in our city.
28:49As someone who also lives in Talamban, I think it's something that we would always complain, Yud, and all throughout in the city.
28:55And, it's something that I cannot, um, think of a, um, of a definite answer because of the fact there is research to be done, Yud, on how we can decongest our traffic in our city.
29:13Now, is it, should we, one thing that come to my mind would be, should we make a skyway in our city?
29:21Are we possible to do that? Or, do we, are we supposed to make underground ba? MRTs, LRBs, TRAM?
29:29It's something that needs further research, you know, because, sigur, if magbasin magbuot-buot sa taghimoginanipur, it actually makes things worse.
29:38So, it's, there's research that needs to be done for the traffic to really, to really seek that certain solution to that.
29:47And, sigur, at this time, we cannot always make band-aid solutions because of the fact, sige tag, band-aid solutions,
29:55wa na dito tayo mahiw, it's going to be like this forever na lang yun.
29:58So, we need to make concrete plans, not only to decongest a certain area, but to decongest all the areas in our city.
30:07Kay, dili man lang, cause sometimes, usually, what we do, for example, sige, Talamban, ah, Banila-Talamban area, un sa'ko man nato pag decongest?
30:14What if we just decongest this area, mapadong man salain nga area.
30:20So, it has to be a plan that's integrated.
30:24The whole, we are looking at the whole city itself.
30:27Same goes with our flooding.
30:31Same ragyud na nga, if we, for example, kung naibaha di rin nga area,
30:35ato ni, i-limpyo ni nga area.
30:38But, people do not understand nga, when we clean, if we can take out this flooding area,
30:43it actually moves to a certain area na sad.
30:46So, it is a dako' good kaayos yung a plano that needs to be done in our city.
30:51And I think, um, the mayor himself is also working on that, sagyud.
30:56And, of course, we are all willing to support his ideas with decongesting our traffic
31:03and, of course, our baha sa gyud.
31:06Kaning baha, baha is basura sa gyud.
31:10So, it's something that we, it's a, it's a whole collective effort to do such things,
31:18especially with these certain, um, problems in our city.
31:23So, it's not only the government that should be working,
31:26but also, um, influencing our fellow constituents, our people,
31:31to really help us as well with making things better for all of us.
31:37Okay, if kami ragyud maglihok niya, di li, um, uban tao,
31:41then the, the forward step isn't going to step forward again.
31:46And, it's just going to be stagnant in certain areas.
31:49Two steps forward, two steps backward.
31:52So, wala yung forward.
31:53Wala yung forward, ultima.
31:55Sige rata, forward, forward.
31:56Yeah, backward.
31:57But then, backward nasad.
31:58And, it's something, siguro, hopefully, that if ever we do make, uh, a certain plan,
32:04um, even, even if it's, like, something new to everybody,
32:07I hope everybody kanang, they accept these certain plans at gyud.
32:12Because, sometimes, we are very, um, hesitated to be open to different ideas
32:19that, um, that's very different, siguro, from our perspectives.
32:23But, siguro, we never really know unless we try on certain new rules or strict implementations.
32:31So, um, if you've heard, um, ang basura ato na siya,
32:35sugdan, balik, ang pag-segregate again, uh, with our trash,
32:40because, as you know, with the recent, unfortunately, with the recent, um, happenings in Binalio,
32:46I think that's a very big, um, eye-opener, again, to our constituents.
32:51And, uh, how can we lessen our trash in our city when, you know,
32:57it's, something like this already happened and lives were lost already.
33:01So, it's something that we really need to tackle
33:03and something we really, um, have to look at gyud.
33:08Ani, tutukan gyudunta ni siya ng mga problema sa atong siyudad.
33:13Which is, I think we are doing that right now.
33:15We are doing our efforts as well.
33:17But, of course, um, it still needs time.
33:20We need to take time to really think of, um, concrete solutions to problems.
33:27Thank you for bringing up the third elephant.
33:30Yes, the third elephant.
33:32Which is, yes, the trash, no?
33:34And yesterday, we guested, uh, Aliko Garganera.
33:39Now, she's a lawyer and then she's also an environmentalist.
33:42And she also proposed several sogo songs.
33:44Yes.
33:45And I would agree with you, that we cannot solve this like tomorrow.
33:49Yeah.
33:49But at least there are conversations that are also happening to move this elephant forward.
34:00Now, I will have, but this is the last elephant.
34:03Yes.
34:04So, this is in terms of tourist arrivals.
34:07Um, just before, uh, going here, or just before coming here, no?
34:14Yeah.
34:15I, I was watching news, no?
34:17And then, but don't worry, I will not ask you with the data, no?
34:21I, I kept it in mind.
34:22That while the tourism figure for 2025 was about 5 million.
34:27Yeah.
34:27Which is already an improvement, but it is still lower compared to pre-pandemic years.
34:33Yes, that's true.
34:34And then the translation for that, because this is like Philippines, but the translation
34:38for that in Cebu is the, usually, you know, at least the occupancy rate.
34:42Yeah.
34:43No?
34:44And the last information I have, but maybe, but, but the last, and forgive me if this is
34:49already outdated, but the last information I had, the occupancy rate in Cebu is 55%.
34:57Mm-hmm.
34:58And this is lower than the national occupancy, which is averaging at 60%.
35:06And NCR belongs to the higher end, no?
35:10Okay, average man.
35:11So, so, now that we have this opportunity, hosting the ASEAN Tourism Summit, and there
35:28are buyers also coming in, and decision makers coming in, how are we seizing this opportunity
35:34also, no?
35:35Yes.
35:35For us to be able to let the, although you mentioned it earlier, to let this
35:41impact translate into measures like arrivals, and hotel occupancy.
35:48Yes.
35:49So, I think that's one thing that everybody pointed out at Gidpag 2025, that we really
35:54lowered, I think one, another.
35:57It proved pag-sinulog.
35:58Yes.
35:59Again, it fluctuated again during the rest of the months.
36:03We are always fully packed during sinulog.
36:05Sinulog, yes.
36:06But there's no lie to that.
36:08But after a few months after that, it goes down and down and down again.
36:12And it goes up again during sinulog time.
36:14And then, I think one of the, if I'm not mistaken, one of the reasons why we fluctuated also during
36:23the past few months in 2025 was because of the earthquakes.
36:28Yes.
36:29I heard about that.
36:30Yes.
36:31There were cancellations.
36:32Yes.
36:32There were so much cancellations of hotel occupancies here in our city because of the earthquakes.
36:38And you know, of course, who isn't scared of earthquakes, especially when you're in high-rise
36:42buildings, right?
36:44And I think this moment is a very good moment for all of the hotel years.
36:51And everyone that's in the hospitality industry to be very, to seize the moment that we have
36:59these certain individuals that can bring a huge amount of tourists in our country or
37:06in our place, especially in Cebu City.
37:09So we made our best efforts.
37:11We will be putting actually billboards.
37:14Yes.
37:14So we have billboards.
37:15But of course, not to really disrupt the tour.
37:19But then just to give a welcoming platform for them to see that they are really welcome
37:30here in our city.
37:31And we will also be giving out brochures, of course.
37:34So we are very close in very good communication with, of course, DOT.
37:40And then Tiesa, of course, who is very helpful with helping us organize the whole tours.
37:47So that's one thing that we will be really hoping that Tribug Bisa Kanon is actually, will
37:56be performing to welcome them in Fort San Pedro.
38:00So I was about to ask my personal favorite Toledo.
38:07They are the ones who have booked.
38:08Oh, okay, okay.
38:09I'm sorry.
38:10Word of honor.
38:11Yes.
38:12So yeah.
38:13So we will be giving out brochures for sure.
38:15And then we will be giving them, they will be giving a lot of delicacies.
38:21And of course, there will be tour guides that can, of course, the tour guides will be the
38:26most important, one of the most important people that will be our spokesperson for all
38:33the Cebuanos that are here in Cebu City.
38:35So they play a very big role in this tour since they will be the one who will be welcoming
38:41them.
38:41And of course, explaining to them how our city is like and how our history is like and
38:48culture, of course, in our city.
38:49So I think we are all very excited for it and hopefully and hopefully we will pray that
38:58this opportunity is once in a lifetime that it should be a platform or opportunity for
39:06us to bring in more Tourist Pie this year and the upcoming years to come.
39:11So earlier we opened the conversation about the spirit of the Cebuano.
39:16And now since we are about to close this conversation, too bad, but I hope we will have more time
39:22in the future.
39:23Do you have a message to the Cebuanos and the people who are watching on how they can also
39:31help in showcasing our strength as Cebuanos to make this event and more improvements that
39:41you and the team are also helping in the city to make all this happen to achieve, what
39:48was the goal?
39:492035 vision.
39:51So how can they help?
39:52Yes.
39:53I think one of the biggest or the message I would give out to our fellow people in Cebu City
40:01is to just be a good citizen.
40:04So be a good citizen means to be clean, of course, to abide by, siguro the biggest langyod
40:12we would like to point out is the cleanliness langyod of our city.
40:17And that's one thing that's striking in the eyes, especially when we have tourists that
40:21comes in here.
40:23And of course, being a Cebuano, we already know that we are very kind.
40:27It comes in already naturally for us to be kind, to be helpful for everyone who gets lost.
40:33If you just ask a person on the side, they would answer you right away without any doubt.
40:39So for the ASEAN Summit, I hope that everyone, just to make sure that we throw our trashes
40:48and be a good citizen langyod.
40:50That's all.
40:51If we just think,
40:53I don't like that, I'm just going to throw it in the proper place.
40:59I think if we do it as a collective effort, I am sure that we will impress our guests that
41:05are coming in by the 25th and 28th and 29th.
41:10And finally, so that they will be able to prepare the closer or the prompter.
41:16And finally, as a leader, because you're still the youngest, of course, the youngest
41:26counselor.
41:28So as a leader also in the city, what is your personal hope and vision for Cebuano?
41:38Not necessarily as a destination, but as a place and a community of people and faith.
41:48Yes.
41:49So I hope to see Cebu as it is still the same.
41:54Nothing, I wouldn't want, I wouldn't change anything for Cebu.
41:59It stays the same.
42:00But siguro, as we grow forward or as we move forward, we are open to newer ideas, siguro.
42:09And I hope that when these new ideas come into place, we accept them and then think of them
42:17as well.
42:17Since, you know, we are an era of a world where it's rapidly changing to different ideas.
42:23And of course, we can also hold back that, you know, we are, siguro, stagnant on certain
42:29ideas.
42:29And I hope that, you know, as we move forward, we are open to more ideas to come into our
42:35city and we embrace them wholeheartedly.
42:40And if you have any other suggestions how we can make our city a better place, a nicer
42:45place, you can know I am very open or if you have suggestions on certain things, if you
42:53cannot go directly to, if you do not know where to go, my office is always open for,
42:59suggestions, if you have any complaints.
43:01If you have any complaints, I am always in City Hall from Monday to Friday.
43:05I am in the second floor.
43:07I am in the second floor.
43:08So if you have any ideas, I am very, we are always open to new ideas in our city.
43:13So, of course, and I hope that we always stay pure to ourselves and never forget our
43:19community.
43:20So, thank you, Counselor.
43:21Thank you very much.
43:22Nice.
43:25Nice.
43:26Grace actually told me that you were in the middle of a big meeting.
43:32Yes.
43:33But you just made time for us to be here.
43:34Yes.
43:35So we are truly grateful.
43:36And thank you so much also for sharing your insights from the heart of Sinulog to the bigger
43:49picture of Cebu's tourism and what it takes to host ASEAN Tourism Forum.
43:55You can hear the music now.
43:56Yes.
43:57And to our viewers, remember, behind every festival, every event, every achievement,
44:04there are leaders like Counselor Nice and people working together to make Cebu shine.
44:11I am DJ Moises and from all of us here at Beyond the Headlines, thank you for watching.
44:16We'll see you again as we continue to go deeper into the stories that shape our everyday lives.
44:21Have a good afternoon.
44:22Bye, everyone.
44:51Bye.
44:52Peace.
44:53Bye.
44:54Bye.
44:55Bye.
44:56Bye.
44:57Bye.
44:58Bye.
44:59Bye.
45:21Transcription by CastingWords
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