EXPERIENCE CEBU! EXPERIENCE SINULOG!

WELCOME TO THE QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH!

One of Cebu's trademark is the Magellan's Cross.

The Basilica del Señor Sto. Niño. (The Sto. Niño church)

WELCOME TO CEBU, PHILIPPINES!

Cebu City is known as "The Queen City of the South" because of its great potential in terms of economy and infrastructure. On the other hand, Cebu is not just all about infrastructure , it is also one of the most ideal place to live in.

Cebu City is located in Central Visayas designated as Region 7,Philippines. It is the oldest city in the Philippines and the first Spanish settlement in the country. There are a lot of traces of Spanish culture and religious history. 

Cebu City is surrounded by many attractions and there are several nearby wonderful islands where you can enjoy different activities; island hoping, snorkling and diving.

One of my highlights about Cebu City is the annual celebration called Sinulog Festival! 

ONE BEAT. ONE DANCE. ONE VISION. – (VIVA PIT SENYOR!)This is the famous tag line of Sinulog.

Sinulog Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January. It's the center of the Santo Niño celebration in the Philippines.The Sinulog commemorates the Filipino people's acceptance of Christianity, the Roman Catholicism.

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which means "like water current movement,” describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance.

The best time to visit Cebu City to witness the Sinulog Festival is towards the third week of January, where a lot of activities are happening.  From the cultural shows, processions, the Sinulog festival queen competition, fireworks, mardi gras and of course, the grand parade.

(VIVA PIT SENYOR!)

Novena mass in Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño

Before the grand celebration day, devotees attend the nine- day novena mass as part of the religious practice. Devotees wave their hands as they sing to honor Senyor Sto. Niño. This is how millions of devotees embrace the celebration.

Millions of devotees of Senyor Sto. Niño lined the streets of Cebu City to join the Solemn Foot Procession held a day before the Sinulog day. This parade is done every year to honor the holy image of Senyor Sto. Niño. The procession looks so crowded but the devotees handle themselves to move so slow in a steady pace. 

Devotees are carrying images of Senyor Sto. Nino of different styles during the Solemn Foot Procession.

Nothing can stop them from joining the Solemn Foot Procession.

One of the most awaited part of the Sinulog Festival is the street dance where the main streets of Cebu City reverberate to the beat of merry-making as the locals and visitors dance in the Grand Sinulog Festival. 

The street parade covers with participants in attractive, colourful costumes and props dancing the beat of Sinulog theme.

The street dance is a competition where contingents are from different islands, provinces, and cities. Yearly they come to join the Sinulog Street Dance to represent their own place. They give their very best in performing so they can bring home the prize.  

Screaming while dancing the beat of Sinulog!

Feelin' the beat of Sinulog!

Mix facial expressions are being shown during the performance. They scream as they dance, they sing as they dance and they smile as they dance! This street dance is such a lively and everybody is having the highest energy to showcase!

tourists are having themselves photographed with the contingents.

The celebration is incomplete without having yourself  photographed with the colourful Sinulog contingents.

Tourists, locals, and foreigners are welcome to have photos with

the Sinulog dancers right in the middle of the parade.  You can pose at your best and have those memorable photos.

Senyor Sto. Nino! Viva Pit Senyor!

To end the celebration, people gather at Abellana Sports Complex to witness  the spectacular fireworks display.