Sinulog Festival: Where Faith and Culture meet
While the rest of the country ends the holidays after New Year’s Eve, in Cebu, a grander celebration is just about to begin as rhythmic drum beats start to echo through the air, the streets bursting with vibrant colors, and devotees from all walks of life start flooding the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño grounds and the surrounding streets.
Yes, it is that time of the year again, time for Cebu’s grandiose celebration to honor the revered Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu. Established as one of the largest and liveliest festivals in the Philippines, the Sinulog Festival has aptly been recognized as the “Queen of All Festivals.”
The Sinulog is said to be of pagan origin that dates back to hundreds of years ago long before Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan came to Cebu on April 7, 1521. Sinulog was already danced by the natives to honor of their wooden idols and anitos, then Magellan came and introduced Christianity and baptized Cebu’s Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara
Amihan
(Queen
Juana) and their people. Magellan then gave a Santo Niño image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Years later, despite the demise of Magellan in the hands of Rajah Lapulapu, the natives continued the Sinulog dance but this time to pay homage to the Holy Child. Historians now say that indeed the Sinulog is the “link between Cebu’s pagan past to its Christian present”.
The movement of the ritual dance, which is two steps forward and one step backward as dancers sway to the beat of the drums, is made to resemble the current or “sulog” of Cebu’s Pahina River, hence the term Sinulog.
While the Sinulog Grand Parade happens every third Sunday of January, solemn activities for the Señor Sto. Niño start as early as the second week of the month, starting with “Walk with Jesus”, the nine-day novena masses, “Walk with Mary”, the Fluvial Procession, Solemn Foot Procession, and culminating with the ‘Hubo’ on the last Friday of the month.
This is a testament that Sinulog is more than just a cultural event, it is a celebration that interlaces Faith and Culture, a major event that has not only gained recognition within the province but has also
drawn in a huge number of people from across the country and abroad.
Cebuanos’ immense faith in the “Batang Balaan” is evident, especially during the singing of the Gozos or the “Bato Balani sa Gugma”, when devotees wave their hands in unison, a spectacle that has piqued the interest of a lot of people, even the nondevotees.
Founded by David ‘Boy’ Odilao Jr., in 1980, the Sinulog festival has evolved through the years. The first Sinulog sa Sugbo only had eight tribes, which were mostly composed of students choreographed by Physical Education directors of various universities in Cebu. Today, the festival has grown so grand that it has already attracted out-oftown participants and even guest performers from other countries such as South Korea.
The growth of the Sinulog Festival, from its simple beginnings to how huge it has become at present, has benefitted a lot of industries, but while we all celebrate the festival with grandeur and enthusiasm, let’s not forget its religious significance and what the Sinulog dance is for, and that is to honor the Sto. Niño. Pit Senyor!