Whether you're born in Cebu, studied and worked in Cebu or just an occasional visitor, I'm pretty sure you're all excited for Sinulog Festival! All the best parties happen during Sinulog and that's what we're used to. The stunning fireworks and the loud music do really give us the remarkable Sinulog vibe. But is this really what Sinulog is? Or have we just adjusted Sinulog essence base on how we want to project it to be? Maybe it's about time to retrieve the almost-forgotten treasure of Cebu -- our honest and profound devotion to Sr. Sto. Niño!
A Brief History
Sinulog came from the Cebuano word Sulog which means "like a water current movement" and thus resembles of what is known as Pahina river. Sinulog is the link between paganism and Christianity here in Cebu. During the paganism period, natives were accustomed to dance a two-step forward and a one-step backward dance to the beat of the drums. It was in the year 1521 when the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan and his fleet of ships under the flag of Spain, arrived in Cebu. Sinulog was actually already been danced by the natives in honor to their wooden anitos. When Christianity was well-spread in Cebu, Natives still continued to dance but it was no longer to worship their native idols but for Senyor Sto. Niño which is now enshrined at the San Agustin Church (renamed Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño)
Later on, numerous chants were created for the Batang Jesus (Child Jesus). Then the famous Pit Senyor was born. Before Sinulog festival came out famously around the globe, chants came first. Pit senyor is from a Cebuano expression "Sangpit Senyor!". The expression basically means, to ask or plead to Senyor Sto. Niño and supposed to be directed to the Child Jesus alone. It is not supposed to be used to greet other people but has become a practice among locals and visitors to greet each other Pit Senyor during the Sinulog season.
It was in the year 1980 where the first Sinulog celebration took place. The local government in that time had a grand and lucrative idea of parade of colors and featured Sinulog dancing. The dancing of traditional Sinulog dance was held at the Basilica del Santo Niño performed by various groups to fulfill religious obligations. Year 1981, the Sinulog parade Was turned over to the mayor’s office which promptly exploited the commercial possibilities of the festival. Trade fairs, art exhibits, a film festival, and pop music events were added to the gravy train. It was this time when Sinuog '81 was then organized. There were also seven floats created to depict seven different periods of history. And each float were followed by dancers wearing costumes depicting the periods.
Sinulog Festival is now traditionally happens every third Sunday of January up until now with more faithful and increasing number of tourist who are willing to join and fulfill a panaad.
Sinulog Events and Activities
This year's Sinulog brings us more closer to the original essence of the festival -- devotion to Senyor Sto. Niño! As our Cebu City mayor wanted to have a child-friendly festival where our children, siblings and the whole family acan freely enjoy the yearly panaad.
In the time of writing, January 17, 2018, a lot of events already happened that truly awaken the Sinulog vibe in the city and reached a lot of provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For today and the upcoming days, I'm going to show you the various activies you can attend to. You ready?
January 17, 2018 (Wednesday)
- 6:30PM - Cultural Show @ Plaza Independencia by Salazar Institute of Technology and Cebu Doctors University
- 8:00PM - Concert @ Plaza Independencia
January 18, 2018 (Thursday)
- 10:00AM - Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 Photoshoot @ SM City Cebu Events Center
- 6:00PM - Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 Runway Competition @ SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium
- 6:30PM - Cultural Show @ Plaza Independencia by University of San Carlos
- 8:00PM - Sky Night @ Plaza Independencia c/o Sky Cable
January 19, 2018 (Friday)
- 4:00AM - Walk with Mary (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church-V. Rama Ave.-left to B. Rodriguez St.-Fuente Osmeña-Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Cebu)
- 9:00AM - Solidarity Meeting (All competing contingents, floats, higante, & puppeteers) @ Cebu City Sports Complex
- 6:30PM - Cultural Show @ Plaza Independencia by University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of San Jose Recoletos and Cebu Institute of Technology University
- 7:30PM - Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 Coronation Night and Sinulog Dance Crew Grand Showdown @ Cebu City Sports Complex
- 9:00PM - Concert @ Plaza Independencia
January 20, 2018 (Saturday)
- 2:00AM - Mass @ National Shrine of St. Joseph
- 3:00AM - Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
- 9:00AM - Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana & Rajah Humabon @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 1:00PM - Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
- 6:30PM - Cultural Show @ Plaza Independencia by DepEd Cebu City, and also the Sinulog Idol 2018 Grand Finals
- 7:00PM - Sinuog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu
- 9:00PM - Coke Studio Artists @ Plaza Independencia by Coca-Cola
January 21, 2018 (Sunday)
Sinulog Grand Parade
- 4:00AM - Mañanita Mass @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 6:00AM - Pontifical Mass @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- 7:00AM - Holy Mass @ Cebu City Sports Complex
- 8:00AM - Short Program
- 8:30AM - Sinulog 2018 Grand Parade Kick-Off @ Cebu City Sports Complex
- 4:00PM - Sinulog 2018 Grand Finale @ Cebu City Sports Complex
- 6:00PM - Concert @ Plaza Independencia with Mofo Band
- 8:00PM - Parokya ni Edgard @ Plaza Independencia by Globe Telecom
January 22, 2018 (Monday)
Awarding Ceremonies
- 1:00PM - Awarding Ceremonies @ Cebu City Sports Complex
January 26, 2018 (Friday)
"HUBO Mass"
- 4:00AM - Mass @ Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center
Route
You now know where to go, but the problem is which way should you go? For you not to be stuck in a stampede, it's better to know this year's Sinulog Route which was strategically planned by the City Government.
Walk with Jesus
Translacion
Solemn Procession
Carousel Route
For more guide I suggest Sinulog 2018 App. This is indeed a very helpful app for news and other necessary announcements.
Sinulog 2018 App
Tired of unplanned Sinulog party? Frustrated about the yearly stampede? You'll no longer have to worry about these kind of stuff if you're prepared. Prepared with the things you bring and completely aware of the different Sinulog events and activities happening in the Cebu.
The other day as I was scrolling down my Facebook news feed, I cam accross Mayor Tomy Osmeña's post about an app named Sinulog 2018. I quickly checked it in the app stores and to my surprise it's really for real. Check it out yourself, download the app here.
I hope I have enlighten you. And I hope to see you all the soonest! Pit Senyor!
Image Sources:
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References:
http://cebu.sunstar.com.ph/sinulog/history/
https://web.facebook.com/CityofCebuOfficial/posts/1697904666953435?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://sinulog.ph/route-maps/
