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20 January 2009

Missing The Sinulog


Last Sunday, I missed one my most anticipated festivity since birth. I can’t believe I failed to witness the Sinulog the second time around. It’s considered as the biggest celebration in my hometown Cebu but it slipped me. Honestly, I didn’t choose to go. There were a lot of reasons why I was here in Manila and not where all the street dancing and fun events were held. Responsibilities and duties kept me from going but I got no regrets—aside from attending the Sinulog.


So I’m now blogging about the Sinulog 2009. This might work as an escape to the feeling of being left out. I don’t want to pity myself missing it so I guess writing about the happenings from the Queen City of the South last Sunday will give me some satisfaction. I’m also going to include some history and some interesting facts about the Sinulog.



The Sinulog word comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog. It means "water current movement." Its adaptation describes the forward-backward step movement of the Sinulog dance. Dancing to the rhythm of the drums, people would dance two steps forward, then a step back.


This memorable event falls every third Sunday of January-- this year it happens a day before my birthday. The celebration is in honor of the patron of Cebu-- the Santo Nino. It’s also meant to remind Cebuanos the first time Christianity reached Cebu’s shores.


Although the Festival itself is celebrated on this day, however, a series of events are held every day for the whole nine weeks before the much awaited Sinulog Grand Parade. Concerts, pageants, and other colorful events prepare the Cebuanos for the main event which is the Sinulog itself. During the event, colorful displays and street dancing can be seen. The participants are on their colorful costumes dancing to the Sinulog beat. The Fluvial Procession (a water parade) is held a day before the Grand Parade. The procession starts at dawn from Mandaue City and ends in Cebu City. A pump boat where the Santo Niño on is decorated with flowers and candles. Then a reenactment of the Christianizing of Cebu follows at the Basilica. A solemn procession is held in the afternoon along the city's major streets. This usually lasts for hours due to multitudes of participants. I still can recall how it is when you attend the procession. It’s like the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo.



A Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Cebu himself and is held at the Basilica de Señor Santo Niño on the day of the Grand Parade. The said mass marks the beginning of the Sinulog Grand Parade. After the mass, the people would go out of the streets where the parade will take place- - where you’ll hear the people chanting “Viva, Senyor Santo Niño!” all throughout the parade.


Now that’s the Sinulog for you.


Well, now I feel better in though I didn’t get to watch the event this year. There are still more years to come for the Cebuanos like me (and for those who just doesn’t want to be left out next year) to look forward to.


Viva, Senyor Santo Niño!



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