LAST UPDATE: January 12, 2021
Want to experience an explosion of color and culture in a one-of-a-kind festivity? Then head on to Cebu, Philippines and experience the annual celebration of the Sinulog Festival.
Street dance parade with a lady carrying the image of Sto. Niño during the Sinulog Festival | Photo: Kobby Dagan | Shutterstock ID: 1371084257
Every 3rd week of January, millions of people gather in Cebu City to celebrate the grandest and perhaps the most important festival in the country, that is, the Sinulog Festival.
Have a feel of how and why Filipinos celebrate this festivity as we highlight important facts, trivia and some insider tips on our Sinulog travel blog. You’ll also get the latest updates on this year’s adjusted celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experience Sinulog at the Historical City of Cebu
Located at the heart of the Philippines, Cebu is a mecca of culture and history.
It is where the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan first landed in 1521, making Cebu the oldest settlement in the Philippines. This expedition marked the beginning of the Spanish colonial era along with their religious catholic mission – to convert its inhabitants to Christians.
At present, Cebu is a vibrant tourism destination attracting millions of tourists for its natural beauty, white sand beaches, flavorful specialties, rich cultural heritage and the annual celebration of Sinulog Festival.
Sinulog Festival Brief History
Sinulog Festival is a week-long celebration in honor of Santo Niño (Holy Child).
The image of Santo Niño was gifted by the Spaniards to Queen Juana (formerly Hara Amihan) after she was baptized together with her husband, Rajah Humabon (Cebu’s chieftain). This religious gift then symbolizes Christianity that the explorers brought to the Philippines almost 500 years ago. Prior to this, Filipinos only worshipped local gods which are often related to animism and paganism.
The image of Senyor Sto. Niño | Source: Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
With this, Sinulog is therefore a religious festival that commemorates the Philippines’ acceptance of a very important gift from Spain, that is, Christianity. Today, the Philippines proudly boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia with more than 86% Roman Catholics. | Source: asiasociety.org
For a more detailed history of Sinulog, you may want to check out this blog.
What is Sinulog: Meaning of Sinulog
Sinulog is a local term which means “movements of the river” or “river current”.
This river movement is depicted by a signature rhythmic dance and is widely performed during the Sinulog Festival. People of all ages, both performers and spectators, dance in a festive mood the Sinulog dance as they stroll the streets of Cebu during the Sinulog grand parade.
All-year-round, you can see women dressed in yellow at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño which offers a prayer or novena along with candles and the Sinulog dance for people who request them, in exchange for a minimal donation/amount.
Sinulog Dance
The Sinulog dance is believed to originate from Rajah Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay, who was allegedly cured of sickness by Santo Niño.
According to historical accounts, Baladhay, then ill, was found to be shouting and dancing shortly after he was placed in an area where the Santo Niño and other pagan gods were displayed. He said the image of the Santo Niño was trying to awaken him.
Baladhay’s dance movements resembled the back-and-forth movement of the water current.
Devotees still use the two-steps forward, one-step backward movement in the belief that it is upon the instructions of Santo Niño. However, there are other accounts which state that the natives have been doing the Sinulog dance before the arrival of the Spaniards. | Source: rappler.com
Video Tutorial on Sinulog Dance Steps
Viva Pit Senyor
Generally, the devotees of Sto. Niño would say out loud “Viva Pit Senyor!”
This phrase has long been part of the Sinulog tradition and is very much associated with Cebuano’s local way of praying to Santo Niño. It is a combination of Spanish words (Viva and Senyor) and a Cebuano word (Pit which is short for Sangpit).
The next time you join the Sinulog Festival, join the millions of devotees say “Viva Pit Senyor!” (“Hail Lord, listen to our prayers!”)
Insiders Tips: Must-Do Experience on Sinulog Festival
Want a local viewpoint on what to do and see during your visit? Here are 5 insider tips to help you make the most of your Sinulog Festival experience.
1) Visit the miraculous image of Santo Niño at Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
The image of Santo Niño is housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City. It is said that the image and the church are truly miraculous – granting generous favors to people’s prayers and petitions.
A photo at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño together with a Sinulog prayer woman
The pilgrimage center in front of the church where they hold masses especially during the Sinulog Festival
A replica of the image can be seen at the church’s main altar as well as in the side chapel where people fall in a long queue for a chance to touch and whisper their deepest prayers to the miraculous image. Having been there myself, there’s truly a different feeling when you pray to Santo Niño in His true home. His Holiness exudes the room and you can feel your heart melting in awe of His presence.
According to the Basilica’s website, the original and oldest Christian relic is still enshrined and kept there.
The holy image of Senyor Sto. Nino
The Basilica is also just the Magellan’s Cross, a famous landmark not only in Cebu but of the country in general.
The famous historical landmark, Magellan’s Cross
2) Watch the Sinulog Festival Grand Parade and Street Dance
Don’t miss to attend the Sinulog Grand Parade and Street Dancing! Witness the city burst with sounds and colors on this most anticipated full-day event.
What to expect? -festive music, street dancing, vibrant costumes, crowd of people wearing their brightest smiles and shouting with glee “Viva Pit Senyor!”. Here, you will feel the overall festive vibe of the city and party like the locals.
Street dancing at the downtown Cebu
A colorful float at Sinulog Festival
The parade and street dancing lasts for hours but the grand performances are held at a big stadium at Cebu City Sports Center. Competing cities and municipalities show-off their final performances at the main stage in front of judges and spectators who are willed to pay the entrance fee to watch the full performance.
The street dance performers at the stadium stage for their final performance
Sinulog Festival Tips:
- Find a great spot to watch the street parade and it will require you to come early to get that spot.
- Wear comfortable attire and footwear. Expect to walk long distances as most streets in the city proper are closed for the street parade. As you walk the street, expect random people to put some paint on you (on random parts of your body but mostly on your face or your shirt) – it’s part of how we celebrate the festivity. This is how we share the fun in Sinulog! If you know how to have fun, then you’ll surely love it.
- Use good sun protection like sunblock or eyeglasses. You may also bring a raincoat in case it rains – a better option than an umbrella for the parade.
- Use a body bag and leave your valuable items at the hotel. Preferably, bring only enough cash for your meals and perhaps, some souvenirs. Use minimal accessories as there will be a lot of physical interaction and a huge crowd all throughout the parade. Better to be safe.
3) Come Prepared: Put on that Must-have Sinulog Signature Items (Shirt, Accessories, Facepaint)
There’s so much going on at the grand parade and it is better if you are “in” for the occasion. In some parts of the sidewalks, you’ll notice lots of local vendors selling Sinulog items such as Sinulog t-shirts, colorful headdresses, armbands and some also offer face painting along the streets.
Happy visitors attending the Sinulog Festival
Filipinos surely know how to have fun and these Sinulog must-have items exist to complete that overall festive mood. Make sure to have them! This also becomes your souvenir for Sinulog.
If you want to learn more about the must-buy souvenirs from the Philippines, you may check out this blog.
4) Witness the Grand Firework Display
The Grand Firework Display happens at night time, usually at 8:00 PM and is anticipated by everyone. The wide sky of Cebu lit up with colorful firework display leaving everyone in awe for an exuberant celebration of culture and faith.
Make sure to find a good spot in an open field or a roof deck where the firework display is setup. Last year, it was the Ayala Malls Cebu.
5) Eat Authentic Local Food
For sure, the day’s activity will leave your stomach hungry. There are a plethora of food options to choose from, ranging from street foods, pungko-pungko(Cebu’s version of eatery), fast foods, specialty restaurants or buffet. Don’t miss to try Cebu’s specialty dishes like Lechon (roasted pig) and Linarang (sour fish soup) – these two comes highly recommended!
Most of these foods are highly available all year-round and always ready to satisfy your foodie cravings.
Sinulog Festival: The Mardi Gras of Asia
Sinulog’s vibrant street parade makes it very well compared to the well-renowned Mardi Gras.
Thus, if you are thinking of going to the Philippines, then we strongly recommend for you to catch this grand festivity happening every 3rd week of January. It is one of the grandest and most fun festivities in the Philippines which can sure make a lasting memory to you.
Sinulog Festival 2021
The theme of Sinulog Festival 2021 is “A New Life in Faith, Hope and Love”. Despite some rumors to cancel this year’s celebration because of the on-going pandemic, Sinulog Festival 2021 is expected to push through with an adjusted celebration – a more discreet, solemn, controlled and virtual celebration can be expected.
This year’s celebration may be a bit different, but its meaning will always stay the same.
In an interview with Vice Mayor Michael Rama, overall head of the Sinulog preparations, he said “We have no plans to withdraw our preparations. We will continue with our preparations”. He further said, “Cancelling the Sinulog is like canceling culture. It’s like canceling history”. | Source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net
On the other hand, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo C, Labella in an interview on January 6, 2021, he said that if the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) recommends to cancel it, they will listen.
For now, the local government unit (LGU) is preparing for a conservative celebration with no live audience, minimal physical contact, heightened safety protocols and mostly live-streamed.
In compliance with the quarantine restrictions, outdoor activities in honor of Santo Niño are canceled including all public masses (there will be virtual masses instead) plus the following Sinulog traditions: 1) Penitential walk with Jesus; 2) Penitential walk with Mary; 3) Traslacion; 4) Fluvial Procession and Re-enactment; and 5) Solemn Foot Procession.
Announcements from sinulog.ph
Sinulog 2021 Novena Mass
Beginning January 12, 2021, all public masses at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is suspended and will instead be live-streamed on the church’s official Facebook page and Youtube account. Everyone is encouraged to stay home and minimize the potential spread of COVID-19.
Here is the novena mass schedule for your reference:
Schedule of Sinulog Novena Mass | Source: sinulog.ph
Sinulog Festival 2021 Schedule of Activities
Because of the threat of COVID-19 especially with the possible spread of the new variant, this year’s celebration will be a more controlled gathering of people. We are invited to practice and show our devotion to Santo Niño with utmost diligence to the prevailing safety protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.
Below is the Calendar of Activities for Sinulog Festival 2021:
Sinulog Festival 2021 Calendar of Activities | Source: sinulog.ph
See you at the Next Sinulog Festival!
If you wanna experience our Sinulog Festival, then make sure to target the 3rd week of January and come to Cebu, Philippines. If not this year, then perhaps next year?
See in actual how we fiesta in the Philippines and have the privilege to join our grand celebration of Sinulog. Viva Pit Senyor!
Looking for Sinulog Festival Tour?
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See you in Sinulog!
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