Sinulog festival Philippines
An annual festival, known as Sinulog, takes place on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. In fact, the festival commemorates the Cebuano people’s pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism. Meanwhile, the main feature is a street parade. The participants of the parade are in bright colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. In addition, smaller versions of the festival take place in various parts of the province, also celebrating and honoring the Santo Nino.

After Juan Camus found the Santo Niño in the burning village, López de Legazpi had included the incident in his report. The report, entitled “Relation of Voyage to the Philippine Islands”, established a new tradition. “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. There he found an image of the Child Jesus (whose most holy name I pray may be universally worshiped). Kept in its cradle, all gilded, just as if it were brought from Spain. And only the little cross, generally placed upon the globe in his hands, was lacking.

The image was in that house, and many flowers were before it, and no one knows for what object or purpose. The soldier bowed down before it with all reverence and wonder. Then, he 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”.

Sinulog festival Philippines

There is also a “Sinulog sa Kabataan” performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has become a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. In addition, The Sinulog Contest takes place in the Cebu City Sports Complex.