Cebu: My Sinulog Experience

One of the reasons why I flew to Visayas this time was to experience Cebu's Sinulog festival. Cebu has always been one of my favourite destinations but for some reason this major event wasn’t on my itinerary. I heard tons of good stories so might as well have my own.

Sinulog is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January in honour of Senior Sto. Nino, but has become a month-long or even longer event. People from different parts of the country gather together to witness and participate in this annual celebration. It was my first time so I had to make it really special (hmmm, that sounded like something else. haha). Anyway...

After partying the night before, it's now time to rock the streets. I felt really sluggish due to hangover but thinking that I was going to see the actual street parade made me excited. So I packed my bag, had a light breakfast, freshened up and off my way to Fuente Osmena.

It was impossible for the cab driver to drop me off my destination point as roads were already blocked for the event. I had to walk at least 3 kilometres.

There were a lot of people, I mean a lot. Have you been to Divisoria like weekend before Christmas where human traffic is an understatement? That's pretty much it. (note: Divisoria is like the Mecca for shoppers eyeing for really inexpensive stuff here in the Philippines).

The performers were really fun to watch but what amazed me most was their utmost dedication. You see, most of them were like grade school to high school students, wearing those uncomfortable but impressive costumes, dancing gracefully and some were even playing band instruments the entire day. And they had to do it under the heat of that blinding sun rays. To make it worse, rain started pouring in towards the afternoon. But these didn't hinder the performers to be less entertaining. I really admired their dedication.

It was a busy street. They had henna tattoo booths, beers being sold on the street, bars and restaurants offer big discounts to entice people, photographers everywhere, hundreds of vendors walking around, I mean it was a whirlwind of social class unified together for one purpose: PARTY!!! I mean, uhm, hmmm, to celebrate this religious occasion. And then party after (or in between).

People were all smiling; locals started shouting with excitement every time they see celebrities parading on floats; foreigners were happy for the cheap beer and free entertainment; and I was just there to simply commemorate the essence of the festivity. Okay fine, it was all of the above for me: I was all smiles, shouting every time there were celebrities, happy because of the cheap beer and free entertainment, so what? Ha!

Every bit of what happened was unforgettable. It is a must-see event. As they say, your Cebu experience is incomplete without attending the Sinulog event. Might as well jot this on your itinerary the next time you visit Visayas.

And oh yeah, Cebu’s lechon sold at Robinson’s Mall at Fuente is a must-try. If you’re on a tight budget and wanted to stretch it out without looking ridiculously penniless, their lechon is your answer. You can get it for less than P200 in a set meal. Makes me hungry already just thinking about it.

I really can't get enough of Cebu. Feels like (real) home.