Sinulog

Sinulog Festival
Carrying the Holy Child Jesus, locally known as Santo Niño, this Festival Queen praises the Holy Child with her contingent.
Official nameSinulog-Santo Niño Festival
Also calledSinulog
Observed byCebu City
TypeReligious / Cultural
DateThird Sunday in January
2023 dateJanuary 15  (2023-01-15)
2024 dateJanuary 21  (2024-01-21)
2025 dateJanuary 19  (2025-01-19)
2026 dateJanuary 18  (2026-01-18)
FrequencyAnnual
First time1980; 44 years ago (1980)
A Sinulog Festival Queen carrying the image of Santo Niño, representing Toledo City in 2023.
The street dancers performs at South Road Properties.

The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival (as known as Sinug and Sulog) is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu, with the center of the activities being in Cebu City, and is the centre of the Santo Niño Christian celebrations in the Philippines.

The festival is considered to be the biggest festival in the Philippines, with every celebration of the festival routinely attracting between 1 million and 1.5 million people each year.[1] Aside from the religious aspect of the festival, Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually happening the night before and the night of the main festival.[2] The festival is nicknamed the "Grandest Festival in the Philippines."[3]

Other places in the Philippines also celebrate their own version of the festival in honor of the Santo Niño, both within Cebu like Carmen, and outside Cebu, including Tondo, Manila, Kabankalan, General Santos, Maasin, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Pagadian, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental and Don Carlos, Bukidnon

Etymology[edit]

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog, roughly means water current describing the forward-backward dance movements. 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, and street dancing. 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 sang in Cebuano.

Sinulog is the ritual prayer-dance honoring the Señor Santo Niño or the Child Jesus. An image of the Child Jesus is said to be the baptismal gift the Ferdinand Magellan gave to Hara Amihan (Humanay) of Zebu (now Cebu) in April 1521. The image, believed to be miraculous, is housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City.

The Sinulog dance moves are often identified to be two steps forward and one step backward as the dancer sways to a distinct rhythm of drums. This movement is made to resemble the current (sulog) of what was known as Cebu's Pahina River.

According to historical accounts, Cebuanos had already performed dances similar to the Sinulog to honor animist idols long before the introduction of Christianity to the Philippines, which arrived in Cebu with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan who led a Spanish expedition on April 7, 1521. The original image of Santo Niño was said to have been left by members of the Magellan expedition, and were said to be rediscovered when the Spanish returned in 1565 in an expedition led by Miguel López de Legazpi, which eventually led to the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines.

Today the Sinulog commemorates the Filipino people's acceptance of Christianity and their rejection of their former animist beliefs (worship of nature).[neutrality is disputed] The first of these conversions happened in 1521 on the island of Cebu, when Indianized-Sanskritized ruler Rajah Humabon and his queen Amihan (Humamay) were baptized along with their subjects, becoming Carlos and Juana of Cebu.[4][irrelevant citation]

History[edit]

Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to the Philippines during the Magellan expedition.

On March 16, 1521, 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 to the Rajah Humabon. Hara Humamay (or Amihan in some versions) was later named Queen Juana after Juana, mother of Charles I of Spain along with the rulers of the island and some 800 natives were also converted to the Christian faith.

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 were often afflicted with sickness believed to be caused by demons and other evil spirits.

The Sinulog dance steps are believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay.[dubious ] It was during Humabon's grief when Baladhay fell 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 was 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.

Arrival of López de Legazpi[edit]

The expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi bombarded the native settlement when they arrived on April 28, 1565. In one of the burning huts, one of Legazpi's men, Juan Camus, discovered the image of the Santo Niño inside a wooden box beside other idols. This time however, Legazpi discovered that the natives already dance the Sinulog honoring the Santo Niño.

The Augustinian friars that accompanied López de Legazpi in his expedition built a church on the site where it was found. The church was called San Agustin Church, later renamed to Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

Letter to the King of Spain[edit]

After Juan Camus found the Santo Niño in the burning village, López de Legazpi was said to have included the incident in his report, entitled "Relation of Voyage to the Philippine Islands":

"Your Excellency should know that on that day when we entered this village (Cebu City), one of the soldiers went into a large and well-built house of an indio where he found an image of the Child Jesus (whose Most Holy Name I pray may be universally worshipped). This was kept in its cradle, all gilded, just as if it were brought from Spain: and only the little cross, which is generally placed upon the globe in his hands, was lacking. The image was well kept in that house, and many flowers were found before it, and no one knows for what object or purpose. The soldier bowed down before it with all reverence and wonder, and brought the image to the place where the other soldiers were. I pray to the Holy Name of his image, which we found here, to help us and to grant us victory, in order that these lost people who are ignorant of the precious and rich treasure, which was in their possession, may come to knowledge to him."

Today[edit]

The stage was performed for the dancers known as the Ritual Showdown.

Since the 16th century, there is great devotion to the Santo Niño in Philippine popular piety, particularly in the Visayas. Pilgrims from different parts of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines make their yearly journey to the church to take part in the procession and festival. Starting in 1980, the Cebu City government organized the Sinulog Festival and eventually gave incentives also to tribal dance groups. The first Sinulog parade was held in 1980, organized by Dávid Odilao, then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports, and Youth Development, with the Sinulog conceptualized to be a "true Cebuano festival",[5] comparable to the Dinagyang of Iloilo and the Ati-atihan of Aklan, both of which also celebrate the feast of Sto. Niño. The parade was composed of students dressed in Knitted Filipiniana costumes, dancing the Sinulog to the beating of drums.

The idea caught and thus, under the direction of then-Cebu City Mayor Florentino Solon with the help of several influential Cebuanos, Odilao turned over the Sinulog project to the Cebu City Historical Committee under Kagawad Jesus Garcia. It was the task of the committee to conceptualize the Sinulog festival and make it into a yearly event from then on.

In 1981, the concept of the Sinulog Parade was actualized involving not just Cebu but also representatives from other provinces in the Philippines. Marking its difference from another popular Visayan festival, the Ati-Atihan, the Sinulog focuses not on the ritual itself but on the historical aspects of the dance, which, as it has been said, represents the link the country's embrace of Christian faith.

In the 2000s and the early 2010s, law and order during the Sinulog celebration was an issue for years. Large street parties were celebrated throughout the city, notably along General Maxilom Avenue (also known as Mango Avenue) and the Baseline area along Juana Osmeña Street. Some rowdy party-goers have run into trouble, and many have been found sleeping along the city's streets due to intoxication. In 2016, street parties along the Sinulog carousel route were banned in an effort to control most of the disturbances caused by these street parties.[6]

The Devotee City, a temporary accommodation place consisting of reused shipping containers, has also been launched since 1996 to accommodate devotees from far-flung areas who do not have any accommodation within Cebu City or other nearby areas. It is usually located in the open space surrounding the Compania Maritima building, and is only a few meters away from the Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño.[7][8][9][10]

The festival was cancelled in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and again in 2022 due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Rai to Cebu. Since 2023, the grand parade has been moved to the South Road Properties (SRP) instead of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), its long time home, by Cebu's current mayor and the overall chairman of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI), Michael Rama, largely against the interest and welfare of the Cebuanos. The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and the Sinulog sa Lalawigan, which are qualifying events for the main Sinulog event, however, still remain at the CCSC.

Two contingent had registered from other festivals as one local festival from MassKara Festival in Bacolod City and one international from South Korea.

They celebrated the Sinulog in worldwide from international compitition in South Korea and Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York and Winter (which celebrate in January) and Summer (which also celebrated in August) Sinulog in Philadelphia from United States.

Qualifying Week[edit]

Two traditional qualifying events at the Cebu City Sports Complex mark the week before Sinulog.

The city qualifying event, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan (Sinulog for the Youth of the City), is the first qualifying event and is a competition exclusive to schools and community troupes from Cebu City. The second one, the Sinulog sa Lalawigan (Sinulog of the Province), is organized by the Cebu provincial government which is participated by school and cultural groups from all over Cebu province.

The champions of the two qualifying events advance to the main Sinulog grand parade.

Grand Parade Winners[edit]

Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe won 11 times in Sinulog-based Category, 2 times in Free-Interpretation Category and 10 times in Street Dancing Category. Additionally, the troupe has earned numerous other placements, solidifying their position as the most awarded contingent in the history of the Sinulog Festival. [11]

Year Sinulog-based Category Free Interpretation Category Street Dancing Ref.
Contingent Hometown Contingent Hometown Contingent Hometown
2010 Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Tribu Himag-Ulaw Placer, Masbate Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental [12]
2011 Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Tribu Himag-Ulaw Placer, Masbate Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental [13]
2012 Kulturang Placereño Placer, Masbate Tribu Lingganay Alang-Alang, Leyte Carcar City Division Carcar, Cebu [14]
2013 Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Tribu Lingganay Alang-Alang, Leyte Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental [15]
2014 Kulturang Placereño Placer, Masbate Tribu Lumad Basakanon Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City Tribu Lumad Basakanon Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City [16]
2015 Kulturang Placereño Placer, Masbate Tribu Buyoganon Abuyog, Leyte Tribu Lumad Basakanon Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City [17]
2016 Kulturang Placereño Placer, Masbate Land of Beauty and Bounty Lanao del Norte Tribu Buyoganon Abuyog, Leyte [18]
2017 Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Land of Beauty and Bounty Lanao del Norte Tribu Katbalaugan Catbalogan City, Samar [19]
2018 Carcar City Division Carcar, Cebu Tribu Kandaya Daanbantayan, Cebu Tribu Buyoganon Abuyog, Leyte [20]
2019 Carcar City Division Carcar, Cebu Tribu Malipayon Consolacion, Cebu Carcar City Division Carcar, Cebu [21]
2020 Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Tribu Lumad Basakanon Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe Tangub City, Misamis Occidental [22]
2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[23]
2022 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette aftermath.[24]
2023 Inayawan Talent Guild and Cultural Group Inayawan, Cebu City Omega de Salonera Surigao del Norte Omega de Salonera Surigao del Norte [25]
2024 Banauan Cultural Group Guadalupe, Cebu City Pasayaw Festival Canlaon City, Negros Oriental Tribu Lumad Basakanon Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City [26]

[edit]

The coat of arms as part of the Sinulog Foundation logo at behind of Higantes.

The Cebu City Historical Committee, which was responsible for the conceptualization of the Sinulog as a provincial event, decided to adopt a logo to identify it as an institutionalized yearly event. They turned to the coat of arms of the Santo Niño which consisted of a two-headed hawk that was the mark of the ruling House of Habsburg in Europe. The emblem represented the twin purpose of the Habsburg dynasty as "Champion of Catholicism and Defender of the Faith." At the time when Spain sent expeditions to the Philippines, they were under the Habsburg dynasty. The committee viewed that using the image of the Santo Niño as part of the symbol as sacrilege.[27]

The Sinulog committee then incorporated the two-headed eagle to a native warrior's shield. The native shield is supposed to symbolize the Philippines resistance to colonization while the Santo Niño's coat of arms printed on its face represented the country's acceptance of Christianity.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gavilan, Jodesz (January 16, 2016). "FAST FACTS: Things to know about Sinulog". Rappler. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Top Sinulog Parties!
  3. ^ "Cebu's Sinulog: The Grandest Festival in the Philippines | Sugbo.ph". January 6, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Cebu Skin Dispensary Cebu, Cebu". Leprosy Review. 2 (3). 1931. doi:10.5935/0305-7518.19310032. ISSN 0305-7518.
  5. ^ Sitchon, John; Sabalo, Wenilyn (January 18, 2024). "The 'Father of Sinulog' and the making of Cebu's biggest festival". Rappler. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "No more permits for wild parties on Sinulog route". Cebu Daily News. January 3, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "All systems go for Sinulog 2018". Manila Bulletin News. January 14, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  8. ^ "Devotee City opens today | The Freeman". philstar.com. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  9. ^ "City Hall clears Compania Maritima lot for Devotee City". cebudailynews.inquirer.net. January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  10. ^ Leyson, O.; Odessa, MBG (January 17, 2019). "Devotee City to open to out-of-town visitors". The Freeman. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "Story of faith wins it for Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe". INQUIRER.net. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  12. ^ "Winners, Sinulog personalities awarded – Sinulog Festival LIVE". sinulog.sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  13. ^ "Sinulog 2011 Winners – Sinulog Festival LIVE". sinulog.sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  14. ^ "Sinulog 2012 Winners: Sinulog Based and Free Interpretation". Penfires. January 15, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Complete List of Winners for Sinulog Festival 2013 - Really Enjoyed It". Beauty of Cebu. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  16. ^ "2014 sinulog winners". Bing. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  17. ^ "Sinulog Grand Parade 2015 Winners – Sinulog Festival LIVE". sinulog.sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sinulog 2016 contingents and winners – Sinulog Festival LIVE". sinulog.sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Sunnexdesk (January 15, 2017). "LIST: Sinulog 2017 Grand Parade winners". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  20. ^ Mancelita, Ram (January 22, 2018). "OFFICIAL Cebu Sinulog 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Sugbo.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  21. ^ "Full List of Winners in Sinulog Festival 2019 Grand Parade - Carcar City, Consolacion Won". Beauty of Cebu. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  22. ^ Mayol, Philip Andrew (January 19, 2020). "RESULTS: SINULOG 2020 Grand Parade Winners". CebuFinest. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  23. ^ News, G. M. A. (January 7, 2021). "All Sinulog Festival 2021 physical activities, shows in Cebu City cancelled - Vice Mayor". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 30, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  24. ^ Magsumbol, Caecent No-ot. "All Sinulog contests cancelled". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  25. ^ ievarona0257 (January 16, 2023). "LIST: Winners of the Sinulog 2023 Ritual Showdown". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ "LIST: Winners of the Sinulog sa Sugbo Philippines 2024". INQUIRER.net. January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Herrera, Christine (December 31, 2014). "'Bypassed' Cebu to hold grand Sinulog". The Standard. Retrieved March 20, 2016.

External links[edit]