Sinulog Experiences, Stories and Photos

I was fortunate that I am in Cebu and have witnessed the Sinulog Grand Parade this time, previous years I was in Laguna for work. I attended the fluvial procession, went to the Basilica del Sto Nino, the mall activities like the SM 4th Pyrofest, and the main event which is of course the much awaited and grandest festival in the Philippines, the Sinulog Grand Parade. There was like a huge, huge crowd almost everywhere in Cebu City yesterday! And we walked, me, Kenneth and Titus all the way from Plaza Independencia to the Sto Nino Church, to Fuente, to Mango Ave, to Ayala and then luckily there were jeepneys to SM.

Outside of the gates of the Basilica del Sto Nino

The Basilica Ready to Celebrate the Feast of Sto Nino

Lighting a Candle Outside the Sto Nino Church

It was a tiring but fun day. It was not my first time to have participated in the Grand Parade of the Sinulog. When Nicko was in elementary, he was designated as the priest for their contingent, and me being the eldest I was delegated to accompany my brother. And I said to myself then never again will I attend as ‘official companion’ to a Sinulog dancer / participant hehehe. If you can see all these small kids dancing on the streets, please know that they are sacrificing a lot and that they are really tired from an almost whole day of street dancing. Even the drummers with their heavy drums and the ‘propsmen’ carrying those big and bulky props are worthy of our salute. Through their efforts and commitments, we get to see a wonderful Grand Parade for the Sinulog.

Witnessing the Sinulog Grand Parade – me, Kenneth, Titus

I had tons of pics from the day’s activities. I am trying my best to limit the pics I’m putting up lol. It’s early morning here and I am still typing and I know I got to stop since unlike Cebuano students, we the workforce don’t get Monday after Sinulog Off. Although I wish hehhehe

Getting a henna tatoo during festivities like Sinulog is a common sight, we got ours for P50 per tattoo in Colon. Kenneth got two  =) A combination of siksikan crowd and the drizzles late afternoon, our tattoos got smeared lol.

Our Sinulog Henna Tattoo 

Me and Titus, all smiles  

I don’t know how many people converge on the Grand Parade route yesterday but there were like thousands and thousands.  All the major road arteries of Cebu was closed and we have to walked and walked. But you won’t mind the long walks because everyone around are on a jovial mood, some even started street dancing on their own hehhehe Update: I’ve just read the news and Cebu officials pegged the visitors during the Basilica Mass and the Grand Parade at 3M! =)  No wonder, there were areas where it was utterly difficult to move hehe

We also headed to Ayala and then SM to watch the Sinulog Fireworks! The fireworks wows the crowd big time! And my sister who missed the previous day’s Pyrofest at SM was happy hehehhe

I will be updating these pics. By the way the puppeteers and the higantes pics are courtesy of my friend Jesi as well as  the photos of the contingents as they dance and present in the Cebu City Sports Complex. His pics looks more awesome than what we took hehhehe. Thanks jesi! 🙂

The contingent all performed in Cebu City Sports Complex, the first dance was by the government together with Cebu’s lady Governor Gwen.

Governor Gwen Garcia dances the Sinulog

Some of the Sinulog Contingents Performs in Abellana

Those who were in the Cebu Sports Complex were treated to this wonderful presentations of the Sinulog Grand Parade participants on the big stage. But all contingents also dances on the designated points along the route of the Grand Parade so even those who did not have tickets for the main presentation were still able to witnessed the presentation of these dancing contingents.

Note the backdrops on the pics, the contingents prepared them and I don’tknow shipped them to Cebu? Or assembled their props here? Most of the Sinulog 2012 Grand Parade Winners are not from Cebu, in fact the delegates from Leyte and Masbate bagged home the prizes as well as the admiration from the crowd and judges who participated on Sinulog!

See this post for the  LIST OF SINULOG 2012 WINNERS.

But what delighted the kids who were present during the Sinulog Grand Parade are these puppets and higantes!

Elmo and there’s Budoy! Budoy Loves Sinulog =)

Elmo and Bumblebee Invades Sinulog Grand Parade!

The Winning Float from IPI

Float Extension from IPI, the Winning Sinulog Float

The Sto Nino Shrine in Fuente by Penshoppe

I was able to snatched a pic with one of the Sinulog contingent, Happy!

Oh I forgot the crowd, this is taken early afternoon on our way to Fuente Osmena 🙂

6 hours after, this is the crowd in Mango Avenue hehhhe

a bit tired now, will post more Sinulog pics later, thanks for reading this! Viva Pit Senyor!