Merlinda Batiller, for example, enjoys a boost of more than 100 percent in sales of her wares. She says upsurge in sales begins a month before the festival and remains high until the later part of February.
At its peak, Merlinda says, sales in Sto. Niño icons/images and the outfit could bring her a daily average income of P3,000. Compared to months between March to November, the festivity brings in a difference of P1,000 in daily average income.
As her stall outside of the Basilica was demolished five years ago, she presently shares a small stall with two of about a hundred vendors who transferred nearby. She said she pays a daily space rental of P5.
It has been observed that the best gauge to measure the success of the Sinulog festivity would be the turnout of visitors because they give a boost in business activities of the city including for those eking out a living along the street of the Basilica. If that's the case, then every Sinulog may well mean a success.
Patently Cebuano, Sinulog, for more than two decades, has helped carve a name for the Queen City of the South in and outside of the country as destination for religious/pilgrimage tourism and has served as an instrument to channel in blessings for the Sto. Niño vendors. - Marisar Ivy C. Cabatingan, STC MassCom intern