Sinulog Festival

One of the reasons why people from different walks of life visit Cebu, it’s because of Sinulog. The name itself is derived from the Cebuano adverb “sulog” which means “flowing like a water movement”. It displays the most and the best colorful costumes, perfectly choreographed dance, wonderful creations of giants and floats. This is done every year on the 3rd Sunday of January in honor of the patron saint Santo Niño. With the belief that the patron saint showers them with good fortunes and shields them from any danger and calamities.



Originally the dance during Sinulog consists of two dance steps: two steps forward and one step backward, done with the beat of the drums. Before the much awaited festival, a long procession is held that will absolutely draw a crowd. This festival serves also as a contest among different contingents from various provinces or regions. Adding colors to the festival are the several programs and activities lined up while the festival is on going like the live band performances, an open market sale of low-cost products in the street and parade of most well known stars in the country. During Sinulog festival all routes will be changed, for example, if you are living somewhere south you got to walk from the terminal up to downtown same as the people who live uptown or in the northern part. Most foreigners and locals never miss a single thing to take some snapshots about the events happened during Sinulog festival.

Traditionally, Sinulog is a street dancing for locals but instead it was commercialized and became one of the famous attractions here in Cebu. Nonetheless, having a Sinulog festival in Cebu is an important event that every Cebuano people should not miss out. Joining the street dance is a heart warming feeling and astonishly amazing because you can feel the gratification & devotedness of the dancers to Sto. Niño. On the day of the festival a holy mass will be held at Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. A huge number of crowds & devotees will attend the mass to prove their strong faith to the patron. After the presentation of all contingents in different categories a colorful and different kinds of fireworks display will be shown whom most of the locals and foreigners await.



Sinulog is one of the famous festivals in Philippine archipelago that each Filipino should be proud of. It just shows how rich the Filipino culture is, and showing to the world that Sinulog festival can be of world class and can compete with those famous Mardi Gras/festivals from other countries. Indeed celebrating Sinulog festival always brings a happy smile on your faces!

More Sinulog photos in Cebuanas Sinulog Festival