Sinulog Festival for Señor Santo Niño

October 8, 2008 · Posted in Philippine Festivals · Comment 

Nowhere else in the Philippines can one witness a yearly historical pageantry in parade known as Sinulog which is part of a religious observance except in Cebu City. The Sinulog is an annual festival held on every third Sunday of January. It honors the child known as the Santo Niño, patron of the city of Cebu. The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward to the sound of the drums. This resembles the current (Sulog) of what was then known as Cebu’s Pahina River. Thus, in Cebuano, they say it’s Sinulog. The Sinulog dance steps were believed to originate from Rajah Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay. It was during Humabon’s grief when Baladhay was driven sick. He then ordered his natives to bring Baladhay into a chapel where the Sto. Niño was enthroned. The festival now features a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs.
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