Sinulog

We have been hearing about Sinulog all month, and seeing the preparations for it. 

First we saw streamers over the roads. 

New vendors appeared with festive carts filled with goodies.

Even when we first got here, we saw postcards showing beautiful costumes, as girls danced down a parade route. 

At Christmas time, there were Santo Nino (Jesus) dolls everywhere. Santo Nino is the figure the middle girl is holding over her head. 

Into January, more appeared.

In the mall, they began selling Sinulog T-shirts. So, of course, we each purchased a couple.

Then, one evening in the Ayala Mall, they were holding the Miss Cebu contest. We were on the 5th floor, and the contest was going on at the first floor level. 

 This was my favorite choice for Miss Cebu.

Between speaking, and changing outfits for the candidates, these performers were on stage.

Other Sinulog dancers performing in the SM Mall.

A nearby hotel, Castle Peak, often have performers out in front of their lobby, dancing.

Sinulog seemed more like a festival, than a religious holiday. 

We have since learned the following interesting facts: 

On April 7, 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived and planted the cross on the shores of Cebu, claiming the territory for Spain. He presented the image of the child Jesus, the Santo Nino, as baptismal gift to Queen Juana. 

Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also baptized 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, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog. 

The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City. The main feature is a street parade with participants in bright colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. 

A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Nino in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits. 

The word sinolog is derived from the root word slog, meaning "river current"; the dancing and movement of the festival is thought to flow like a river. 

When the floats are too high, someone is lifting up the wires so they can pass underneath. 

The crowds of people today were like a river flowing everywhere: down the streets, through the parade even while it was going on, around the vendors, etc. It was a huge party. 

We took a cab to get to the parade route. Then we watched until it began to sprinkle and headed back to our apartment. This is the way our adventure ended. 

I hope you notice that even though I am holding the Catholic Santo Nino doll, I am also wearing my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary tag! 

Happy Sinulog! And yes, we attended our church meetings today in Mobolo. They speak more English than they do in Balamban, and it was a fun change to understand more of the talks and lessons today. But of course, we still absolutely love Balamban.