♥ Sinulog Festival ♥

Sto. Niño de Cebu

The beautiful island of Cebu not only boasts of its sparkling clear blue beaches and its growing city that can be compared to the metro, it also plays host to one of the most extravagant fiestas in the Philippines.

The Sinulog festival was coined after the current or “Sulog” of the Cebu Pahina River back in the days, therefore giving the festival its name—Sinulog.

The festival is just the colorful scene, what really matters is the dance that is performed during the festival. A brief history tells us that the natives of Cebu already celebrated Sinulog even before the Spaniards came, only difference is they performed the dance to honor their anitos or gods. When the Spaniards introduced Christianity, they gave the Santo Niño as a baptismal gift to the wife of Cebu’s Raja. Now, when the festival is held, the Santo Niño is held during the dance performance as a sign of reverie.

This nine-day fiesta involves two major celebrations: the religious procession on a Saturday and the grand street parade the following day.

Hundred thousands, if not millions, gather to witness this great event. College students, universities, parishioners from different parishes, friends, families and locals and natives alike join together for a momentous occasion.

Sinulog Procession

The solemn procession route may vary every year to cater to other barangays who were not visited by the Child Jesus the other year and also depending on the estimated number of devotees participating the event.

After the procession a high mass is going to be celebrated.

Immediately after the mass, performing the Sinulog dance is recommended for those who have petitions. Many people believe that their hopes in life are answered by dancing the Sinulog after the solemn procession. A dancer must have his or her own candle for dancing. Dancing with complete strangers, armed with candles in hand and hearts filled with pure love our beloved Sto. Niño, will surely not only please one’s self – but the dear Child Jesus as well.

Sinulog Fluvial Parade

The Holy Child Jesus is usually kept in a glass case bedecked with blossoming flowers, which will be carried by a “galleon” towards His destination. The sound of drums beating and trumpets roaring in the wee hours of the morning would not affect the solemnity of the ritual. Fireworks, ship’s bullhorns, sirens and yells from the Sto. Nino devotees can add vibrance to the decorated motorboats sailing under a brilliant sun. Air Force helicopters from Mactan Air Base and other private planes will be hovering above and showering petals in the flotilla, which include motorized bancas, passenger boats, yachts, barges and fastcrafts.

Sinulog One Beat One Dance One Vision

Festival

The Sinulog celebration lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The day before the parade, the Fluvial Procession is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat from Mandaue City to Cebu City, decked with hundreds of flowers and candles. The procession ends at the Basilica where a re-enactment of the Christianizing (that is, the acceptance of Roman Catholicism) of Cebu is performed. In the afternoon, a more solemn procession takes place along the major streets of the city, which last for hours due to large crowd participating in the event.

On the feast day at the Basilica del Santo Niño church, a Pontifical Mass is celebrated by the Cardinal with the assistance of several bishops of Cebu. Most devotees go to the Basilica to attend the mass before heading out to the streets to watch the parade.