This is one of the famous festival I miss in the Philippines. I witnessed it twice and it just makes me happy everytime  it is celebrated in January each  year.

Phils.Cebu.sinulog.DSC09573.©Ruby Benz Fotos

The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. It is also held in other places in the Philippines like in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and Balingasag, Misamis Oriental in the Philippines. The town Midsayap in the province of North Cotabato also have the same version of this festival and they called it “Halad”. The festival commemorates the Filipino people’s pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

Phils.Cebu.Sinulog.DSC09381.©RB Fotos

During this festival there are many events going on in Cebu City. The highlight of this celebration is the street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Singing contest is also held during the duration of the festival. I am wondering if singing contestants and the guitarists were using fender fsr telecaster at musicians friend. I saw this program the last time I witnessed it in 2010. It was my last holiday in Cebu.

The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports Complex. The winners are chosen and will receive cash prizes.

The Sinulog celebration lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The day before the parade, the Fluvial Procession is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat from Mandaue City to Cebu City, decked with hundreds of flowers and candles.

You must witness this celebration when visiting Cebu City. I am glad I did!