Sinulog: A journey of a lifetime
Posted on January 22, 2007
BACOLOD CITY, PHILIPPINES - Sinulog was a unique experience for me. I have never experienced a festival so large as this. A religious event attended by thousands of crowds. My trip to Cebu is a very humbling experience. Catholics, both rich and poor, hear mass side by side inside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.
The Cebuanos really give so much importance to the religious aspect of the festival. Men and women, young and old would all go to the church to hear Mass first before going out in the street to witness the grand parade.
I was even more amused to see that a lot of competing groups would sail all the way from as far as Mindanao just to offer their prayer of thanksgiving to the Infant Jesus.
The groups that I have been looking forward to see did not fail me. The group Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental won the grand prize for the Sinulog-based Category while the Lumad Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City grabbed the title for the Free Interpretation Category.
Seeing more than forty groups perform at the Sinulog make me jaw-drop all the time. Their costumes are exploding with all the colors, and their choreography is simply excellent. The unique Sinulog beat played with drums, lyre and trumpets would sometimes make me feel like dancing in the street.
After walking for almost twelve kilometres circling the Sinulog parade route more than two times, I never felt tired because I know that the Holy Child, Santo Niño is with me. Before I finally left Cebu, I made a promise to the Santo Niño that I will continue this journey forever.
I would like to thank Bernie for fetching me at the airport, and for the photos below. A big big thanks also to the Lakawboys, of SSC Cebu! Daghang Salamat sa inyo mga bai!
» Filed Under Festivals, Road Trip
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5 Responses to ”Sinulog: A journey of a lifetime”
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pls feature all ur pictures of sinulog…especially lumadbasakanon group if ever u have any…the one who won the 1st prize of free interpretation,best in costume, best in musicality,texters choice and 2nd place in street dancing parade…pls ill be waiting for ur next update…im a lumad basakann -performer
hi eric….i hope you had a great time here in cebu…see you on next year’s sinulog festival….
Hope you enjoyed the Sinulog here in Cebu and do come again for next year’s celebration!
I have Sinulog 2007 pics on my flickr account.
http://flickr.com/photos/giobacalso/sets/72157594493215481/
have lots of pics for Lumad Basakanon mainly because I have a friend there and I come from the same area as they do in Cebu.
enjoy the pics
Enjoyed Sinulog right? Hehehehe! Told ya! Damu ka bala pix sang Sinulog, ipangpost bala, hehehehe!!