I am not a big fan of festivals until I experienced Sinulog first-hand.
I used to not like festivals because crowds can be very rowdy and it involves lots of walking under the heat of the sun. The reasons may be trivial, but when you become a member of #TitasOfManila, that’s just how it is. However, experiencing Sinulog changed my mind especially when I witnessed the passion and devotion of people participating in the festival.
Here’s a quick video of devotees at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu the night before the grand street parade. It is a solemn celebration of Sinulog. It is a must-see because it is more traditional and less commercialized.
Viva Señor Sto. Niño!
For the unfamiliar, Sinulog is the annual festival in Cebu City that is held on the third Sunday of January.
It is a religious and cultural festivity that centers on the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.
According to Wikipedia:
The day before the parade, the religious Fluvial Procession sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cebu is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a beautifully decorated boat which sails from Mandaue City to Cebu City, decked with hundreds of flowers and candles. The procession ends at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu where a re-enactment of the baptism to the Christian faith (that is, the acceptance of Roman Catholicism) of Cebu is performed. In the afternoon, a more solemn procession takes place along with the major streets of Cebu City, which last for hours due to large crowd participation in the event.
Another best part of Sinulog is the grand street parade that is held almost the entire day on a Sunday. During this event, major roads are closed because participants pass through them dressed in colorful costumes while dancing gracefully to the rhythm of drums, trumpet, and native gongs.
Here are snaps from the grand street parade:
Thanks Mimai for the amazing captures of Sinulog 2017!
Thanks OPPO Philippines for the life-changing Sinulog experience. Thanks for letting us experience the OPPO F1S “Selfie Expert” phone!
Photo from: Luigi Leonardo
Might go back next year for Sinulog 2018 or might try other festivals in the Philippines. What other festivals should I go and see?
Share with us your Sinulog 2017 experiences!
