Filipinos are huge fans of festivals. And for this month of January, being the Sto.Niño Festival month in the Philippines, fans will surely look forward and take part in celebrating the colorful and lively festivities.
Sto. Niño Festivals are popular and are commemorated throughout the country. It is a time where Filipinos give honor and worship to the Holy Child Jesus. During this period, grand processions occur and many other activities such as parades, street dance competitions and beauty pageants.
Just recently, Filipinos and foreigners alike witnessed the spectacular celebration of one of the grandest festivals in the country - - SINULOG.
A RICH HISTORY
Sinulog Festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. This is to pay homage to the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who was once the patron saint of Cebu. Sinulog means “graceful dance” and it is mainly a dance ritual that expresses the Cebuanos’ acceptance of Christianity.
The celebration of Sinulog is rooted from the time when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan gave a wooden Sto. Niño to the wife of Rajah Humabon, Cebu’s chieftain, after his arrival in the Philippines. This became the symbol of the conversion of Christianity of the locals. Since then, it has been regarded as a treasured possession and was housed in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and San Nicholas de Tolentino church.
A GRAND CELEBRATION
The cultural event showcases vibrant displays of pageantry; participants draped in their bright and attractive costumes, gracefully sashay to the melodious beat of drums, trumpets, and native gongs.
Aside from the festive dancing, there is also the SME trade fair where Sinulog features Cebu export quality products and people especially tourists flock on the treasures of Cebu.
Sinulog Festival is definitely one of the most remarkable happenings of the month. It showcases the colorful and rich history not only of Cebu but of the whole country as well, no doubt it is frequented by tourists from all over the world. It is absolutely worthy of visiting.
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