Sinulog Festival. The most colorful festival of Asia
The Sinulog Festival is an annual cultural and religious event held in Cebu City, Philippines, every third Sunday of January. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in the country. Subsequently, it attracts between 1 and 2 million visitors, both local and international. What’s more, some even claim it can be compared to the festival in Rio. Others also call it “the most colourful festival of Asia”. The festival commemorates the Filipino people’s conversion to Christianity and honors the Santo Niño, or the Child Jesus.
Origins of Sinulog
The story dates back to the early 16th century. More specifically, when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines on April 7, 1521. Magellan gave an image of the Santo Niño as baptismal gift to Rajah Humabon and his wife, Hara Humamay, who were the rulers of Cebu at the time. As a result, they were known as Carlos and Juana of Cebu. Not only were the rulers baptized, but also 800 natives at that time. Therefore, the image represented their acceptance of Christianity and their baptism into the Catholic faith. This event marked the beginning of the spread of Christianity in the Philippines. Since then, the natives worshiped the image of the Child Jesus and formed practices, such as rituals and religious ceremonies, which were later discovered by explorers.
Historians claim that Sinulog connects the fusion between the country’s pagan past and its Christian present. The term “Sinulog” comes from the Cebuano word “sulog,” which means “like water current movement”. It refers to the dance movement that resembles the flowing current of what was then known as Pahina River.
Who danced at first?
Generally, the movements consist of a simple two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. Historically, the dance moves are believed to come from Baladhay – advisor of Rajah Humabon. He got sick and Humabon asked the tribe of his advisor to bring him to the room where the Santo Niño was enthroned.
After a few days Baladhay was discovered shouting and dancing shortly after being “cured of his sickness”. He pointed at the image of the holy Jesus and explained that baby Jesus was tickling him. Later they danced with each other with the movements of the river. However, other accounts point out that Cebuanos had already performed dances similar to the Sinulog to honor animist idols long before the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines.
Over 40 years of Sinulog already!
The Sinulog Festival officially started in 1980. The first-ever Sinulog parade was organized by the Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development. He gathered a group of students, gave them costumes and taught them the Sinulog dance to the rhythm of the drums. It was initially created as a cultural parade to showcase Cebuano traditions and the region’s devotion to the Santo Niño. Eventually, over the years, the festival has evolved into a grand celebration. Into one of, if not the biggest festival in the Philippines.
You will not never get bored…
The Sinulog Festival is not only a celebration of faith. Also, it is a way for Cebuanos to showcase their rich cultural heritage and traditions. It has become a significant event for the province of Cebu, promoting tourism, boosting the local economy, and fostering a sense of unity among its people. Therefore, you can take part in many activities and art events, starting already way before the culmination.
The culmination of the Festival is the Grand Parade. It starts on the 3rd Sunday of January at 8-9 am. This is a showcase of dances, but also sophisticated dresses and costumes. As soon as the day ends, fireworks light up the sky. Moreover, Sinulog is known for street parties. They are most visible on the day before the Parade and the night after it. One of the most common picture one can see from Sinuog are painted colourful faces ????
Check out 2023′ highlights of Sinulog Festival
Are you in Cebu in January? The grandest Festival in the Philippines awaits you! ????
Author: Monique Hidalgo (USC’s student) and Dr. Filip Wojciechowski (Kahibalo Foundation)
