A Sinulog to watch, and to experience

At least three Sinulog judges have come up with recommendations for groups intending to join the festival next year and in the future. And the recommendations, while couched in diplomatic niceties, cannot hide the one bitter reality they all seemed to suggest -do better. Because, as the judges must have keenly observed, the Sinulog has simply become more and more of the same.

The Sinulog has become tiresome. The indictment, coming from judges who are experienced and professionally trained to understand and appreciate the intricacies of the performing arts, is unmistakable. Perhaps it was only out of some sense of politeness that these highly trained eyes did not come out with their observations much earlier despite having already noticed what they now could not keep to themselves much longer.

Redundant. Overusing. Rethink. Overtime. Typical. These are some of the significant words that stood out from the observations of the expert judges. But these are words that spring from the minds of those who truly understand the art that is the Sinulog as a form of contest. It is difficult to contemplate what the verdict might be from the general public, those who merely watch for the sake of watching.

Surely, the general description would be far worse than the expert view, which is trained to seek out any redeeming qualities. The number of repeat spectators, while definitely still there, must be drastically declining. It is difficult to put up with something that is essentially the same every year, especially if it takes a lot of physical effort and sacrifice to be able to do so.

That the number of spectators is in fact increasing is not due to an appreciation of the Sinulog as a spectacle or art form but merely the result of wanting to experience the whole thing. One thing going for the Sinulog is that it has remarkably been marketed very well. The influx of tourists who want to experience it for the first time, and repeat visitors who miss and want to relive what they could not experience in their own countries also contribute to Sinulog's continued success.

Being a country where the very young and newly independent make up more than half the population also contributes to that success. This segment of the population does not care about the costumes and the dance steps. The young are there to party and have fun. They are there for themselves. So for as long as the crowds are there, the Sinulog as a street festival will continue to stay relevant. Never mind if, to those who watch, one Sinulog is one too many.