Excitement fills up the air as we celebrate Sinulog; another year of seemingly endless street walking, dancing and partying.
The heat heightens up as new surprises come our way as we venture into the city’s lanes, the various malls, shops and stalls and of course the respective places where the vibrant and energetic moves of Sinulog contingents can be seen. With these Sinulog fads, let us take a look at what the event brings:
• Family Get-Together
As the month of January commences, the smell of the Sinulog Spirit is highly evident because of balikbayans arriving in droves. Hotels from all over Cebu are fully booked; the malls are packed with hordes of shoppers and the streets are filled with people constantly moving from one place to another. Sinulog may be crowded for some, but enjoyable for others. Why so? Because families are reunited, cousins are brought back together and the feeling of completeness is inevitably awesome and thrilling. Close family ties, that’s what it is called.
• Party! Party! Party!
Who wouldn’t forget the parties that continuously roll on the street even before the grand Sinulog day?
Kicking off the Sinulog week, bands from different schools, even professional ones, would entertain audiences much to everyone’s exhilaration. Dozens of talents would put on their best attire and attract multitudes of onlookers through their moves and grooves. On Sinulog day, parties would be simultaneous. Watch out for lots of head bangin’ and booty shakin’.
• Devoted Ones
Let us all take into account that the festivity highlights the feast of our beloved Sto. Niño. Devotees would line up at the Basilica to attend Mass and kiss the holy image. Even those from far-flung places would bear the blistering weather just to be with the Holy One. At the end of the day, one feels fulfillment amidst the frequent shoving and tugging of sleeves and backs inside the congested church.
• Bazaar Mania
Fashion accessories of all shapes and sizes drown the city streets as vendors open their wares to bargains and sales. T-shirts printed with local greetings, tribal jewelry and tattoos, colorful masks topped with brightly colored feathers, straw hats adorned with ribbons, multihued flip flops and a bunch more would sizzle the customer’s fancy. Bazaars can be found everywhere. Imagine what you’ll miss if you have not been able to walk your way inside the mall and grab some items. Bazaars as just blossoming as shopping centers.
Sinulog only comes once a year so indulge yourself in the stimulating and fun experience. Happy Sinulog, everyone!!!