The Amazing Sinulog Festival in Cebu
By Jershon G. Casas

2008 Sinulog was undoubtedly the best Sinulog many have experienced since its humble beginning 28 years ago. In 1980, the festival was initially a simple gathering of a group of students wearing moro-moro costumes and dancing to the beat of the drums, an idea brought to life by David Odilao Jr., Director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth together with the local government of Cebu.

Sinulog is a ritual dance in honor of Santo Niño. To distinguish the Sinulog Festival from the popular Ati-Atihan Festival on Panay Island, this festival is characterized by a different dance ritual altogether. The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward are accompanied by a distinctive rhythmic sound of the beating drums. This resembles the current or “Sulog”. Hence, in Cebuano, they say it is Sinulog.

The Sinulog Grand Parade is held every year on the third Sunday of January and is the most awaited event in Cebu, but the festive atmosphere can actually be felt as early as December with the opening of the Sinulog Street Fair.

Throughout the month of January, Cebu is bustling with people and exciting activities as Cebuanos anticipate the approaching of the Sinulog Grand Parade. The list of events in the month of January includes: Songwriting Contest, Sinulog Photo Exhibits, Concerts at Park, Street Party Bands, Cultural Shows, Visual Merchandising Contest, Balik Cebu, Balikbayan Welcome Party, Bike Rally, Solemn Mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niсo, Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niсo, Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño. , Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño, Ms. Cebu Coronation Night, Sinulog Festival Queen Coronation Night, Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan, and Sinulog Grand Parade.

For many devotees from neighboring municipalities, the lack of accommodations in Cebu and the high cost have always been major concerns. As a result, the Devotee City came to existence. The city provided free accommodations and basic amenities for many fortunate visitors. It was formed 10 years ago base on an original concept of the tent city by Councilor Fe Mantua Ruiz. The Sinulog Foundation organizers throughout the years had to face the reality of not having enough tents to accommodate the ever growing population. Through the generosity of the sponsors, empty cargo vans were converted into 'make-shift' cottages to help alleviate the problem.

The Sinulog Grand Parade culminated the Sinulog Festival 2008. Ms. Dolores Suzara, Sinulog Executive Committee Project Director admitted that this year’s celebration was the biggest, the most extravagant and the most successful festival the Sinulog Foundation has ever organized. Ms. Suzara said, “We estimate our expenses for this Sinulog to be more or less 23 million.” It was therefore fitting that the theme of the celebration was “Sinulog Goes Global”, indicative of its international appeal and the participation of several Filipino communities from all over the world. Despite the magnitude and grandiose scale of the celebration, there were no serious incidents that occurred. In addition, it was only recently that Sinulog enjoyed the participation of “branded” festivals of the neighboring municipalities. This allowed spectators to experience the so called “the mother of all festivals” by giving them a taste of the different festivals organized by local communities through the participation of their contingents. The introduction of the free interpretation dance contest in the Sinulog parade, has made it possible for the neighboring municipality to showcase their heritage unique to their locality. Hence, spectators and devotees alike are treated to spectacularly choreographed ritual dances that offer a glimpse of the kind of lives they live in the neighboring communities.

Mr. Ricky Ballesteros, Jr., Executive Director said, “We are open to new ideas to improve the Sinulog Festival and we might consider lengthening the parade route next year to accommodate the enormous number of spectators.” We expect next year’s celebration to be better and more extravagant”, he said.

Therefore, Sinulog Festival 2009 is a grand celebration that one should never miss.
For more information, visit Sinulog Festival’s official website at www.sinulog.ph.

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