Adjustments in parade schedule eyed: El Niño may alter Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — Sinulog 2027 may see adjustments in its parade schedule and on-ground arrangements as Cebu City prepares for potentially extreme heat from a strong El Niño expected to persist into early next year.

Mayor Nestor Archival said the city is considering several measures to protect performers, devotees, spectators and other festival workers, including misting stations, additional drinking water points and possible changes to the timing of activities.

The adjustments are being studied in anticipation of hotter conditions during the January festival, when hundreds of thousands of people are expected to fill Cebu City's streets.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said El Niño conditions are likely to persist until early 2027, increasing the likelihood of below-normal rainfall and warmer temperatures in many parts of the country.

“Naay improvement (to be done). Atong gitan-aw kay makita nato ang scenario sa January. Now, possibility ana mag-butang tag misting, posibilidad na. Nya muingon na sad sila'g uy, kinahanglan tag tubig. So, these are things nga atong tan-awon,” Archival said.

Among the options being considered is adjusting the schedule of the street-dancing competition to limit performers' exposure to the hottest hours of the day.

However, Archival said moving performances later into the afternoon could create scheduling and logistical problems, particularly if the competition extends late into the night.

“That’s a possibility, but the problem is kinahanglan mohuman ta og certain time,” he said.

He explained that a later start could push the final performances close to midnight, affecting transportation, crowd management, security deployment and cleanup operations.

The city is also considering other arrangements, such as earlier starting times, scheduled rest periods for contingents, expanded hydration stations and cooling facilities along the parade route.

“So atong tan-awon kung unsa gyud the best option. Pwede ka magsugod og sayo, unya mo-rest, or whatever it be. I cannot say that, but certainly, klaro gyud kaayo nga naay certain adjustment considering nga by January, grabe ang kainit, taas kaayo,” Archival said.

He stressed that no final decision has been made, with the city still evaluating possible arrangements based on weather projections in the months leading up to the festival.

PAGASA said the El Niño phenomenon developed in 2026 is expected to continue into early 2027, raising the risk of dry conditions and warmer temperatures.

The World Meteorological Organization has likewise warned that the phenomenon could strengthen further, potentially becoming a very strong event that may bring extreme heat and significant weather disruptions in various parts of the world.

The prospect of hotter conditions is a major consideration for Sinulog, one of the country's biggest cultural celebrations, which honors the Santo Niño. The festival is held on the third Sunday of January in celebration of the feast if Santo Niño. Among the activities leading to the Sinulog is the solemn procession and fluvial parade.

The Sinulog grand parade, in particular, requires performers to dance and march for hours under the sun, while spectators line major roads throughout the day.

Beyond performers and devotees, security personnel, emergency responders, marshals and vendors also spend extended hours outdoors during the festivities.

While Sinulog has undergone changes in routes, venues and security arrangements over the years, the anticipated El Niño could require further adjustments to ensure public safety.

With more than two months before Sinulog 2027, Archival said the city will continue studying the best arrangements to balance the festival's activities with the need to protect participants and spectators from extreme heat. — (FREEMAN)