The third week of January is the best time to see Cebu. This is when the annual Sinulog Festival is held, a time when the people of Cebu go out the streets in full festive regalia, ala Mardi Gras. Sinulog is translated as “graceful dance”, taken from the flow of the river current. The Sinulog Festival’s origin can be traced way back to the pre-Spanish colonial era, when natives worshipped wooden idols and gods. The people practiced paganism until the Spanish conquerors brought Christianity to the islands in 1521. People danced on the streets to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest and to ask for more blessings to come. The Sinulog Festival of modern times marries this practice with the Christian practice of worshipping Christ. Chants of “Pit Senyor! Viva, Sto. Nino!” can be heard from the townspeople in honor of the child Jesus Christ.
This event draws a couple million of different types of people, Filipinos from different towns and foreigners from all continents. Sinulog Festival, a fiesta that goes on for nine days, is one spectacular cultural display. Dance competitions interpreting the Christian tradition are staged with all municipalities of Cebu taking part. Colorful floats star the parade to the delight of the audience. Local celebrities also stage their own shows to promote this local festivity.
Here are some tips for you to enjoy the Sinulog Festival:
- Book plane tickets and hotels ahead of time. This is a very celebrated feast that attracts people from all places. If you book very near the date of the festival, you run the risk of getting high rates. Worse, tickets and rooms can get all sold out.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You’ll be on your toes watching and dancing all day, wear soft sneakers or slippers so your feet don’t get sore. Cebu is a tropical place so you might want to don thin clothing in festive colors to avoid bathing in sweat.
- Avoid wearing loose jewelry and carrying more cash than necessary. You’ll be sharing the streets with a large crowd, so you better be safe.
- Slather on SPF. You’ll enjoy the festival better if you don’t worry about getting skin cancer.
- Bring a camera! Take photos. Take videos. Bring home mementos of this joyous celebration.
- Let loose! Join the locals in their celebration of the young Jesus Christ.
Photo credits:
http://sinulog2009.blogspot.com/2009/01/sinulog-street-dance.html
