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| PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR. MARK ANTHONY GELIG |
A must see festival in the City of Cebu. "It's like bringing back the popularity of the song with the lyrics "sinulog ha,tanan magsuolog.sinulog misyagit ug kusog,pit senyor kang nanay kini,pit senyor kang tatay kini,pit senyor kang lola kini".Have you heard that song?inspired by the festival,that song will be heard again around the streets on the first week of January until "Sinulog Festival Day".
Colorful streets with banners and a busy sidewalks with different live bands performing at bar stations here in the city. Live performances participated by the different institutions in Cebu will have their best shot on their scheduled date to be held at Fuente Osmeña Circle.
Sinulog History
Origin of the word Sinulog and the Dance Steps
The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which roughly means "like water current movement;" it describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language.
The Sinulog dance steps are believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay. It was during Humabon's grief when Baladhay was driven sick. Humabon ordered his native tribe to bring Baladhay into a room where the Santo Niño was enthroned, along with the other pagan gods of the native Cebuanos. After a few days passed, Baladhay was heard shouting and was found dancing with utmost alertness. Baladhay was questioned as to why was he awake and shouting. Pointing to the image of the Santo Niño, Baladhay explained that he had found on top of him a small child trying to wake him and tickling him with the midrib of the coconut. Greatly astonished, he scared the child away by shouting. The little child got up and started making fun of Baladhay. In turn, Baladhay danced with the little child and explained that he was dancing the movements of the river. To this day, the two-steps forward, one-step backward movement is still used by Santo Niño devotees who believe that it was the Santo Niño's choice to have Baladhay dance.
On April 15, 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory for Spain. He presented the image of the child Jesus, the Santo Niño, as baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of Rajah Humabon. Hara Amihan was later named, Queen Juana in honor of Juana, mother of Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptized to the Roman Catholic Church. At the moment of receiving the holy image, it was said that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing this image of the child Jesus. With the other natives following her example, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog.
This event is frequently used as basis for most Sinulog dances, which dramatize the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits.
Did you know that, natives of Cebu dance Sinulog to worship their anitos (god) during the past, but now, they dance it to show their reverence to the Santo Niño.
The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. This is to honor the Santo Niño from being a pagan to accepting the Roman Catholicism in the City.
The main feature is a street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan" performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports Complex.
It has been said that this festival or event happening in Cebu became Cebu's most benchmark when it comes to festivals. That is why Cebu having this kind of festival already has its town festival,which later being promoted during the activity of the province called "Pasigarbo sa Sugbo" or Festival of Festivals, an annual contest participated by Cebu towns and cities to showcase their local fiestas with dances.
It is true, that crowd on that day (Sinulog Day) have such a big crowd to control, that is why, you need to wear your best gear for this. What you have to do are for the girls: wear your best shorts,best slipper (that one that can't easily be worn out), a hat,most comfortable dress or blouse. For the boys: wear your best sando, short and slipper plus a hat (protection against sunlight). You will have a walkathon, but you will surely have fun while walking as you find it a lot of fun to take a glimpse of the looking at the street dancers( participants of the festival performing in the streets).
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| graceful dance at the street (street dancing) |
A long day indeed, but the experience is worth to be remembered and to have your photos up, that should be expected. Come and visit Cebu.!!!!! GOD BLESS YOUR TRIP!!!!
Source: Wikipedia (history of sinulog).
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