Sinulog Festival
Cebu City, 3rd week of January
Cebu City's fiesta of fiestas. Characterized by its peculiar two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward shuffle, thus simulating the Holy Child of the shores. The Sinulog is one of the Philippine festivals with a century-old tradition observed in the part of Visayas region. The prayer-dance is synchronized to the beat of drums and shouts of "Pit Señor! Viva Sto. Niño!" Feel free to dance with the best of them, grooving all the way to the grand final presentation at the Cebu City Sports Center
“Viva Pit Señor!” That’s what you’ll hear people chant in a Sinulog Festival. Every third Sunday of January is a joyous day for the people of Cebu City. It is the month when one of the grandest festivals of the Philippines is celebrated. The Sinulog Festival is the most colorful one, too. The Sinulog Festival is celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño, which is the patron saint of Cebu. The Sinulog Festival is a dance ritual that reminisces the time when Filipinos embraced Christianity.
In the Sinulog Festival, you will see the most colorful displays and street dancing. The participants in the Sinulog Festival wear bright-colored costumes and dance to the music made by trumpets, native gongs, and drums. The streets are full of people eager to witness the beauty of the festival. Sinulog Festivals are also held in other parts of the country, but in smaller versions.
Traditionally, the Sinulog Festival is celebrated for nine days. The ninth day culminates into the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade. A water parade called Fluvial Procession is held on the day before the Grand Parade. The procession starts at dawn from Mandaue City and ends in Cebu City. A pump boat is decorated with flowers and candles with the Santo Niño in it. 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.
On the Sinulog Festival day, a Pontifical Mass headed by the Cardinal is held at the Basilica. Bishops of Cebu assist in this event. Devotees and others populate the Basilica to attend the mass. Afterwards, they all head out to the streets to witness the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade.
The word ‘Sinulog’ is from the Cebuano adverb ’sulog’. It means “water current movement.” Its adaptation describes the forward-backward step movement of the Sinulog dance. According to the rhythm of the drums, people dance two steps forward, then one step backward. In the latter years, this dance has evolved into three categories: Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and Latin Category. And has been the cause of some arguments if it has to do with the Sinulog tradition. But the candle vendors at the Basilica still prefer to perform the traditional version for their customers
The Sinulog Festival is an important event in the Filipinos’ religious life. It’s a time for joyful and colorful celebration. For a spectator on the street, it’s a beautiful scene to behold. But for a participant doing street dancing, it’s a way to show their devotion to God. The Sinulog Festival is a must see event.
Cebu City, 3rd week of January
Cebu City's fiesta of fiestas. Characterized by its peculiar two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward shuffle, thus simulating the Holy Child of the shores. The Sinulog is one of the Philippine festivals with a century-old tradition observed in the part of Visayas region. The prayer-dance is synchronized to the beat of drums and shouts of "Pit Señor! Viva Sto. Niño!" Feel free to dance with the best of them, grooving all the way to the grand final presentation at the Cebu City Sports Center
“Viva Pit Señor!” That’s what you’ll hear people chant in a Sinulog Festival. Every third Sunday of January is a joyous day for the people of Cebu City. It is the month when one of the grandest festivals of the Philippines is celebrated. The Sinulog Festival is the most colorful one, too. The Sinulog Festival is celebrated in honor of the Santo Niño, which is the patron saint of Cebu. The Sinulog Festival is a dance ritual that reminisces the time when Filipinos embraced Christianity.
In the Sinulog Festival, you will see the most colorful displays and street dancing. The participants in the Sinulog Festival wear bright-colored costumes and dance to the music made by trumpets, native gongs, and drums. The streets are full of people eager to witness the beauty of the festival. Sinulog Festivals are also held in other parts of the country, but in smaller versions.
Traditionally, the Sinulog Festival is celebrated for nine days. The ninth day culminates into the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade. A water parade called Fluvial Procession is held on the day before the Grand Parade. The procession starts at dawn from Mandaue City and ends in Cebu City. A pump boat is decorated with flowers and candles with the Santo Niño in it. 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.
On the Sinulog Festival day, a Pontifical Mass headed by the Cardinal is held at the Basilica. Bishops of Cebu assist in this event. Devotees and others populate the Basilica to attend the mass. Afterwards, they all head out to the streets to witness the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade.
The word ‘Sinulog’ is from the Cebuano adverb ’sulog’. It means “water current movement.” Its adaptation describes the forward-backward step movement of the Sinulog dance. According to the rhythm of the drums, people dance two steps forward, then one step backward. In the latter years, this dance has evolved into three categories: Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and Latin Category. And has been the cause of some arguments if it has to do with the Sinulog tradition. But the candle vendors at the Basilica still prefer to perform the traditional version for their customers
The Sinulog Festival is an important event in the Filipinos’ religious life. It’s a time for joyful and colorful celebration. For a spectator on the street, it’s a beautiful scene to behold. But for a participant doing street dancing, it’s a way to show their devotion to God. The Sinulog Festival is a must see event.
