While the actual finales to my Sinulog Festival 2013 experience were the big parties I went to, the true highlight of the entire festivity was the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday. Along millions of people, we braved the heat to witness groups dancing to one beat. Read more…
Sunday started with the traditional Mananita Mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino. It was a well-attended service that drew in people at 4:00 AM or even earlier.
The crowds were thick even early in the morning, so I had to strategize how I was going to cover the entire festivity. It was great that Globe Telecom’s coverage is empowered in Cebu, so I used my SuperSurf unlimited mobile browsing to study the carousel route map.
Then, at 9:00 AM, the beat started; it signaled the start of the grand parade. The energy was so high that time that people seemingly did not mind the intense sunshine.
The history of the Sinulog dates back to the time when the Spaniards “benevolently” conquered the pagan Filipinos through religion. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, representing Spain, brought with him a 15-inch statue of Santo Nino or the child Jesus as a baptismal gift to the wife of Rajah Humabon, Hara Amihan or later Queen Juana.
Queen Juana is said to have held the Santo Nino in her arms and danced to bless people who were ill. Nowadays, she is personified by the Festival Queen of each group, and the street parade is, by tradition, based on her graceful dance.
The following were hailed as winners for Sinulog Festival 2013 Grand Parade:
Free Interpretation Category
First Place: Tribu Lingganay of Alang-Alang, Leyte
Second Place: Lumad Basakanon
Third Place: Tribu Himag-Ulaw of Placer, Masbate
Fourth Place: Talamban National High School
Fifth Place: The Land of Beauty and Bounty
Best in Costume and Musicality: Lumad Basakanon
Sinulog-Based Category
First Place: Tangub City's Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe
Second Place: Carcar City Division
Third Place: Kulturang Placereño of Masbate Dance Troupe-Placer, Masbate
Fourth Place: Talisay City Central School
Fifth Place: Apas National High School
Best in Costume and Musicality: Tangub City's Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe
Street Dancing Category
First Place: Tangub City's Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe
Second Place: Carcar City Division
Third Place: Lumad Basakanon
On-Site Decor Category
First Place: Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas
Second Place: St. Cecilia's College-Cebu, Inc.
Third Place: Manros Plaza
Visual Merchandising Category
First Place: Elizabeth Mall
Second PlacE: Gaisano Main
Third Place: Gaisano Capital-Tisa
Higante Category
First Place: Hershiel
Second Place: Giovanni B. Abos
Third Place: Julius J. Buligan
Float Category
First Place: Lactobiotics Worlwide Corporation
Second Place: Casino Femme Alcohol
Third Place: Rose Pharmacy Inc.
Puppetters Category
First Place: Elvis-Sinulog Rock
Second Place: Lebron James-Sinulog Heats
Third Place: Jason S. Santiago and Noel Quijada Jr.
It was my second year to experience Sinulog Festival, and for sure, I will be back in 2014. Daghang salamat Cebu City, and see you next year!
All Sinulog Festival 2013 photos were taken by Patrick Velasco.