From: Teresa Ruelas
Date: Jan 18, 2007 3:26 PM
Subject: Re: A LITTLE CEBU HISTORY: Check out the 1985 Sinulog Festival souvenir program (lots of historical information for our news archives)
To: Lorna Dietz

Hello, Happy New Year and Pit Senyor to you, Lorna!!!

How wonderful to get this just before the weekend’s Sinulog activities…as I am here in Cebu (until end of the month) and will be present at Sunday’s parade/celebration. I was at the Heritage House for the opening of the Banglos exhibit (wood sculptures out of driftwood from flooded town of Banglos - “Bangon Kilos!” And was sitting beside Madame Delia Villacastin (used to be English/Art teacher in STC College) who is documenting whatever is left of the original and indigenous rituals and dances of Sinulog as lived many generations before. I kept stressing the importance of this with her. Maybe I can send her this link and we can support each part of the bigger story coming together?

Thanks Lorna….will be thinking of your Dad and the story unfolding when I am there.

Warm regards from our balmy breezes to you in the Bay Area!
Teresa

Lorna, thank you for your accounts, it must have been an inspiration to have been in the presence of such a devoted civic leader..

God Bless

The Sinulog Festival that started in 1980 was a modestly-managed event. David “Boy” Odilao had started this project as a competition among school-based dance troupes. 16-year old Shelley Ann Roper from Connecticut, USA, the Rotary Exchange student hosted by the Rotary Club of Cebu-West (and who was living with us in our Lahug home) who was a member of the Southwestern Dance Troupe, was acknowledged as the first American to dance in this first official celebration that had commercial appeal. Shelley certainly stood out — blonde hair, fair skin, dancing barefooted in Sinulog attire.

I recall the students being pumped up in performing the Sinulog. The drumbeats were infectious! We were dancing in the streets. Years later, Tom Cruise (in the Philippines, filming “Fourth of July”) was said to have danced incognito in the streets of Cebu City. I was never able to fact-check this rumor.

Sometime ago, San Francisco-based dentist, Richard Kempis, and I were comparing notes about what we did during the first Sinulog (1980).

It is impossible for me to forget the first time. Dad, the certified public accountant, was in charge of the board of judges for the dance competition, the “higantes,” and floats. Walking in the typical humid Cebuano sunshine, edging gingerly through the thousands of people as we escorted the judges to their judging posts, was an exercise in courage. Remember, there was no bottled water sold at that time. I do recall that people were very friendly and courteous. No mob scenes. When we finally arrived at Fort San Pedro later that day, I can remember standing behind 15-year old Sharon Cuneta backstage. I could even visualize what she was wearing: tight black lycra pants.

Richard Kempis recalls, “Since I was a student at the Dentistry department of Southwestern University, I was delegated to first aid duty at Colon Street.” Another friend from the San Diego area, Ditas Yamane, remembers Dad. “I was in media then, working with Cris Samia. I got to work with your dad a lot!” Tetta Baad, then known as Tetta Cantos, the smart-as-a-whip Cebu Plaza Hotel executive who marketed Cebu as “An Island in the Pacific,” also reminisced about their successful 1985 sales blitz to the United States.

The years 1984 and 1985 were significant because Cebuanos like my dad made the time to promote the Sinulog abroad. From Hongkong, Seoul, to Honolulu, Dad spent his personal funds to spread the word.

Just before his stroke, Dad felt devastated by some newspaper accounts that unfairly accused him of going abroad on a junket trip. Whatever controversy there was, then-Mayor Duterte visited Dad in the ICU during that October 1985 and reassured Dad that he knew the true story. Dad felt vindicated by the mayor’s visit to his hospital bed.

Noemi, Dad’s contributions in organizing the Sinulog Festival may not be recorded in history books — but those who were a part of the team during those first seven years would remember. One of my STC classmates, Daisy Zabala Mah, a Singapore-based architect, will surely have memories about her first stint as a judge for this festival (oh yes, I recommended her to the group).

Dad was chosen specifically to be one of the Sinulog Foundation members because of his event management expertise. From the soap box derbies that the Cebu Jaycees organized — to the Rotary District and PICPA conventions he chaired, Dad had found the perfect formula for event management — and the people he wanted on his team — the ones who made things happen.

Imagine the nostalgia I felt when I successfully coordinated the Third Global Filipino Networking Convention in Cebu a few days after the 25th Sinulog Festival in 2005. I believe that I had honored Dad’s contributions in the Sinulog through my own work.

Cebu City — as a strong community of doers and shakers — really lucked out with civic leaders like our Dad. I am truly honored and privileged to have trained with him.

From your darling sister,

Lorna

Noemi, my father suffered two strokes and succumbed to the third, it’s something that too little Filipinos realize the need for screening and knowing the signs of.. but then again, too little Filipinos have the means for quick emergency procedures needed to halt the effects of a stroke…

my prayers for your father.. God Bless