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Sinulog is one of the festivals here in the Philippines honoring the child Jesus, namely Santo Nino or the Holy Child. Here in Cebu city, the festival is held on the third of January. In order to so the devotions of Cebuano, a dance contest is being held. This shows that we Cebuanos accept our religion.
*HISTORY
The Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on April 7, 1521 and planted a cross of Cebu. He gave the image of Santo Nino to Hara Amihan as a baptismal gift. She is the wife of Rajah humabon. Hara Amihan was later named, Queen Juana in honor of Juana. At the moment of receiving the holy image, it was said that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing this image of the child Jesus. With the other natives following her example, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog.
The Augustinians friars that accompanied López de Legazpi in his expedition proclaimed the statue performed miracles and built a church on the site where it was found. The church was called San Agustin Church, later renamed to Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino.
Sinulog is actually a dance ritual natives performed when offering prayers to gods. Today, this ritual commemorates the conversion of the people’s pagan origin and their acceptance to Christianity.It happened few weeks after the Spaniards led by Portuguese navigator Fernando Magallanes arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory in the name of King of Spain. He presented the image of the Holy Infant Jesus, the Santo Niño as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, the wife of Rajah Humabon. She was named as Queen Juana in honor of Juana, mother of King Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptised to the Christian faith. At the moment of receiving the image, it was said that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing the image of the child Jesus. With the other natives following her example, that moment was regarded as first sinulog celebration.
This event is frequently used as basis for most sinulog dances, which dramatizes the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation and 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 are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and
other evil spirits.
*WHAT IS MEANT BY THE WORD SINULOG?
Sinulog from a Cebuano word SULOG which means "like water current movement."
*DANCE STEPS
Two steps forwad and two steps backward. It is done together with the beat of the drum.
*SINULOG ROUTE
*SINULOG ROUTE
*NOVENA, FLUVIAL PROCESSION, STREET DANCE
The Sinulog Festival last for nine days.During the novena,people are crowded. But no matter what, the people who devote on him didn't mind it.
The festival features a streetparade with participants in
bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan" performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports complex or Abellana.
Experience:
This year, I was able to witness the devotion of Cebuanos to Senor Santo Nino. I was able to attend five novenas masses. I was influence by a friend of mine. Their is this feeling that pushes me to attend the novena.I was truly amazed and deeply moved seeing people from different places came to attend the mass. The weather didn't stop us. Rain or shine. It became a sacrifice for us specially those who believe for the gifts of the Saint.
I started the morning by attending the first mass in the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino. The whole place was crowded and people were armed with their umbrellas and their balloons with attached prayers. What I liked about this mass was that most of the people who attended the mass are really loyal devotees. Contrary to the modern mass where it’s noisier and people don’t seem to listen to the priest, this mass had attendees with all eyes and ears towards the priest. You could feel the solemnity as everyone sang “Bato Balani”. Sinulog once again reminds us all of the devotion to the Sto. Nino. VIVA PIT SENYOR!Right after the mass I dropped by KFC as I munched on a quick breakfast before walking through the whole route. I was able to reach somewhere near St. Peter’s memorial before I started walking back to Mango around 8 am. After having gone through the route I was able to realize one thing. This year’s contingents had better choreography, better costumes and a very beautiful Chinese oriented theme. This year’s Sinulog I felt at home with the theme.
There were a lot of things that I was able to see that time and I’d like to give special mention to Surigao, with their Lubi offering and Gold costumes, you caught my attention so early in the morning. I also liked so many of the other contingents like the one from Negros Occidental, Daanbantayan and Leyte’s Buyogs. You guys all did a wonderful job!
The whole day was very very wet! I also had the opportunity to walk through the ocean of mud. Sus, the janitor in Ayala glared at me. Hehe. Thankfully I came prepared with my scarfs and umbrella.
Fireworks were awesome but I didn’t get to shoot. I can’t wait again for next year as every year I seem to be more and more prepared for whatever will come my way. The most important thing is I will always remember that this festival I dedicate to our God who came in a most innocent and meek form: a child.
Viva Pit Senyor! Viva Viva!
Documentation:
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