My Sinulog 2011 Experience

Sinulog 2011 is a really great experience for me! there’s just a lot of firsts.The festival may have been rained but it never dampened the festive spirit in me. In fact the rain just added some more spice to my 2-week adventure in Cebu!

My adventure started January 7th, when I flew from Bacolod to Cebu to witness the Opening Salvo. this is my second time to attend the Sinulog opening. My first was last year. This year’s program is much better than last year! The performances in this year’s opening program is so bongga! Lots of people lined up along the streets from the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino to the Abellana Sports Complex.

The progam featured the various festivals of Cebu, performed by the different colleges and universities in Cebu city. The program was very well applauded and everyone danced to the Sinulog beat afterwards.

A day after the opeing rites, the real action started. January 8th is Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan. 18 groups consisting of elementary and Secondary schools from different towns and cities of Cebu joined the streetdance competition which started from the Cebu Provincial Capitol and the finale performance at the Abellana sports Complex.

A day later, its the turn of schools from all over Cebu City during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan.

This year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan is much grander and more colorful. The kids are just so full of energy! The loud cheering of the crowd is just a testament of how successfull it was.

After the Sinulog sa Kabataan, I flew to Manila for a quick break then returned to Cebu January 14th for the Festival Queen Pageant.

It was my first time to experience the Sinulog Festival Queen Search and I could say it was really a blast! It was really like a beauty pageant, except that it is just a search for the best lead female dancer of the tribes. There’s no swimsuit or long gown competition or Q&A portion. but there was a solo performance category, Group Performance, and the showdown with the other dancers.

The Festival Queen Pageant is also a good preview of what you will be seeing on the grand parade, as backup dancers are wearing the same costume they will be using during the grand Mardi gras parade.

January15th is probably the peak of the religious aspect of the festival. I was supposed to join the fluvial procession at 6AM but I woke up late! So instead, I just went straight to the Basilica, bought a medium-sized image of the Santo Nino and heard the 10AM mass. While inside the basilica, I met my friend Biggie who is also from Manila. After the mass we went outside and looked for a place to eat. Looking for a place to eat around the Basilica area can be likend to finding needle in a haystack. I mean, there;s a lot place to eat, but all of the food joints are full to the brim. So we have to walk and walk and walk and walk a little more, until we found a small local fastfood resto. In fairness, food is good, and the halo halo was a welcome relief to the sweltering heat of the sun. Sarap ng lamig ng halo halo!

After having lunch, we went back to the Basilica. It was alreadt 1:15PM when we arrived at the gate and it was already closed as the foot procession is about to begin at 2PM.

biggie and I joined the foot procession the route is around 6kilometers long, but with a huge number of people joing the solemn procession you will hardly notice that you’re actually walking that long. Rain started to fall while we were at the Gaisano area, then it just fall as if theres no tomorrow. good thing we were already at the Elizabeth Mall area during the heavy downpour. We ran towards the mall for shelter. An hour later, Biggie decided to go back to basilica, while I continued the procession. It was tiring. Really tiring but the feelingof being one with the devotees is just so surreal. People would brave the rains just for the Santo Nino.

Later that evening I went to SM City Cebu with Angie and Marc to atch the fireworks competition. There was a slight drizzle that time but,people didnt care! Th crowd was outside to catch the spectacular display of lights in the sky.

January 16th, I woke up very early at around 5:30AM. I twas the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras day. But it was raining early in the morning. But we have to brave the rains. biggie and I left Sugbutel at around 630AM then went straight to a fastfood along Mango avenue. Heavy breakfast is a must for a very long day ahead of us.

good thing I was just wearing flipflops during the grand parade, or elese my shoes could have been coated with mud again. I circled the whole parade route which is 5.+ kilometers long, took some photos.

A big lunch is needed for a big day! So Biggie and I went to Crown Regency to have a buffet lunch. Sarap ng foods! Bongga sa busog!

From Regency, I then walked towards the Abellana sports Complex to watch the performances. I decided to just watch the dances instead of shooting photos as I was so tired already, and wet from all the rains.

2007-2008 Champion, 2009-2010 First runner up Lumad Basakanon’s performance was a very big disappointment. They are also the Aliwan Fiesta 3tim champion and hall of Famer. but their performance during the 2011 Sinulog was very forgettable. It lacked wow factor. They have already lost the magic. They failed to mesmerize the crowd. I myself was not expecting them to be on the Top5. Worse, it was in the news the next day they they even failed to be on the Top 10.

A grand celebration like Sinulog deserves a Grand finale, no less. And this year, the Sinulog finale theme is Chinese-inspired. It is a way of recognizing the importance of the Chinese community in Cebu. the finale performance was grand! It was like a pre-Chinese New Year Show with all the chinese songs, dances, as well as lion and dragon dance. A colorful fireworks display capped the festivities.

January 17th is the Sinulog Festival Awarding Ceremonies and the mandatory Repeat Performance of all the winners. The event is the last I’m attending for the Sinulog 2011.

Sinanduloy Cultural troupe of Tangub City Misamis Occidental never failed to amaze me with their breathtaking performance. Their dance last Sunday was probably the best they ever had in Sinulog. The 9-time Sinulog champion’s routine was flawless.

In general, the Sinulog 2011 was a tremendous success! Keber na sa ulan! the rains cannot just stop the people from paying homage to the Santo Nino and for people to celebrate the Sinulog Festival. Th vibrant colors is still evident despite the downpour.

congratulations to all the winners! I am not sure though if I’d be back nexy year for Sinulog as there are a lot of other options on my plate right now. Viva Pit Senyor!

Experience Sinulog! Check ut the schedule of the Sinulog Festival 2012 here to plan your vacation!