FIESTA SINULOG 2008

The Sinulog is one of the most colorful festivals in Asia today. It is celebrated for nine days with two major activities as highlights--a religious procession on Saturday and grand street parade the next day. It got its name from a ritual dance in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño.

Through the years since 1521, the dance was a small ritual by a few in front of wooden idols or before the Santo Niño. In fact, at the Santo Niño church where the image is consecrated, only the candle vendors could be seen dancing the Sinulog and making offerings.
During the Santo Niño fiesta, which falls on the third Sunday of January, children dressed in moro-moro costumes also dance the Sinulog.
Sto. Niño origin

The origin of the Santo Niño is composed of three main stories. The most widespread version is that the image found by Legaspi's men in 1565, is the same image Magellan gave to Queen Juana in 1521.
The second version states that the image came from China. It supposedly found its way to the Philippines through Chinese traders who dealt with Franciscan missionaries.
The third version is the most interesting of all. It is rooted deeply in the folklore of Cebu. It is told that one day, long before the coming of the Spaniards, a native went out into the sea to fish. He did not catch anything for the better part of the day until finally, he felt a weight at the end of his line. He brought it in only to discover that it was nothing but a piece of wood. This occurred several times until, tired and angry, he decided to keep the stubborn piece of wood in his boat. And viola! Like magic, all the fish swum towards his boat and he went home with a bountiful catch.

The natives of Cebu soon discovered that this piece of wood had other magical powers. They could use it as a scarecrow to keep animals away from their dying crops. In times of drought, they only had to immerse it in the sea and the rains would come. Apparently, this same piece of wood was fashioned into the image of the Santo Niño.


Here’s our pics during the SINULOG Fiesta last January 20, 2008. We went out early to watch the street dancing and the awesome floats being paraded. Rain or shine we really have enjoyed the grandeur of the event.