By Shane Marie K. Canono
The crowd was shouting, “Viva Pit Senyor!” They seemed to be in uproar, watching different groups dancing while finding their way through the streets. Fuente Osmeña and other places and streets in Cebu that has been part of the route of the grand parade were surrounded with the electrifying energy of the people. Everyone united in celebrating the feast of the child Jesus, Senyor Santo Niño. “Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño,” according to Sinulog.ph.,” The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward to the sound of the drums. This movement resembles the current (the Sulog) of what was known as Cebu’s Pahina River. Thus, in Cebuano, it’s sinulog.”
The festival is undeniably one of the most-awaited and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The first parade was in year 1980, and that time, the Sinulog fiesta was an event of local color. Held at the Basilica del Santo Niño, the event started to attract more and more tourists. Thus, the Cebu City government decided to inflate the celebration of Sto. Niño, make it a national prominence, and promote as one of the “real and unique” traditions of the Cebuano people.he crowd was shouting, “Viva Pit Senyor!” They seemed to be in uproar, watching different groups dancing while finding their way through the streets. Fuente Osmeña and other places and streets in Cebu that has been part of the route of the grand parade were surrounded with the electrifying energy of the people. Everyone united in celebrating the feast of the child Jesus, Senyor Santo Niño. “Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño,” according to Sinulog.ph.,” The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward to the sound of the drums. This movement resembles the current (the Sulog) of what was known as Cebu’s Pahina River. Thus, in Cebuano, it’s sinulog.”
One of the things to look forward in Sinulog is the fluvial procession of the miraculous image of Senyor Sto.Niño. There were numerous boats, with yellow and red tarpaulins, floating in the sea of Cebu. Almost all boats have speakers, playing the Sinulog songs, which makes the procession even more fun. The old bridge of Cebu was filled with people, as well as the seaside. It’s amazing how the people are willing to stand against the heat of the sun just to witness the ceremony.
Each year, millions of people would join the Grand Sinulog Parade Day, and as well the activities beforehand and after, such as the street party bands in Fuente Osmeña and Sinulog Idol. But this year, Sinulog had become even bigger. The whole weekend is jam-packed with tons of enormous parties like Jungle Circuit party at Hyper Club Roof, Elektromundo at City Times Square, Oh Ship! at Ibiza Beach Club and a lot more. Aside from that, the number of crowd joining the festival has increased, said Roy Empleo, one of main hosts of the Sinulog live coverage, but the situation of the entire parade is not as chaotic as before. It was reported by the medical team of Sinulog that there were no major injuries so far. And according to Blinkee De Leon, co-host of Roy, this year’s Sinulog is more organized.
More and more people have become attracted to Sinulog festival. Not just because of the fireworks, the costumes, nor the night parties, but most especially because the love of the people towards Sto. Niño. Let’s all bring the spirit of Sinulog in our hearts. For all of us in Silliman: Pit Senyor!~
