Sinulog: Wake up call to be faithful to God

CEBU, Philippines - The Sinulog is our wakeup call to be closer to God.

So said Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Parish Priest Rev. Msgr. Roberto Alesna, who celebrated the novena Mass during the opening of the Sinulog festivities, as he challenged the devotees of Señor Santo Niño to instill in their hearts and minds the real purpose of the Sinulog.

Sinulog 2011 was formally launched yesterday by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama at the Basilica del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center after the novena Mass at 2 p.m. which was followed immediately by a parade from the basilica to the Cebu City Sports Center.

Rama told The FREEMAN that the only message he could extend to all Cebuanos is for everyone to be one in faith and heart during the Sinulog festivities to avoid untoward conflicts.

“Pasalamat ta sa mga tawo, mga eskwelahan, ako’ng mga kauban sa city government, kauban sa Sinulog Foundation ug sa tana’ng milangkub ug mi-apil sa launching,” Rama said.

Together with Rama during the Mass were the entire Cebu City Council and some members of the Sinulog Foundation Inc. who later joined him in the parade to the sports center.

After Rama declared the 2011 Sinulog festivities open, the entire pilgrim center erupted with cheers and roars as white doves were set free and confetti rained down on the faithful.

Alesna said the purpose of Sinulog is a wakeup call for Cebuanos to be truly faithful to God.

“The bottom line sa atong pag-anhi, mao ang pagsusi kun unsa kahugot ug unsa ka matinudanon ang imo, ang ako, ang ato’ng pagtuo nga Kristohanon labi na ang ato’ng pag salig sa bata’ng Hesus” Alesna said.

“Let us not engage on too much rituals paningkamutan nato hilabi na g’yud sa ato’ng mga individual presentations sa Sinulog a balance between performing religious rituals and keeping the Christian values,” concluded Alesna.

The entire pilgrim center was filled with devotees with the center lobby being occupied by 16 Sinulog dance troupes from different schools and universities in Cebu. 

The entire Osmeña Boulevard from the basilica to the Fuente Circle was also lined with large speakers playing the traditional Sinulog beat with a modified Chinese format.

Because of the parade marking the start of the Sinulog this year, traffic in the downtown area came to a stop. However, after less than 30 minutes, traffic returned to normal.

Rama is also tapping more agencies to ensure peace and order during the Sinulog festivities.

Rama said he asked the Philippine Association of Detective & Protective Agency Operators to help in the crowd control especially as they anticipate an influx of people here for the grand parade.

He has also requested Police Regional Office-7 director Ager Ontog for more policemen to augment the existing number.

Meanwhile, as part of their security preparations, the PRO-7 will be handing over at least 140 handheld radios to their personnel to make sure their communications are open.

He said that aside from the radios, they will also provide more personnel, other pieces of equipment and funds to the Cebu City Police Office aside from other materials they may require for the festival.

The PRO-7 director added that they will intensify their patrol on this day by augmenting personnel from the Public Safety Battalion and other support units such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, among others.

Ontog said they are prepared for criminals seeking to hamper the peace and order situation during the festivities. (FREEMAN NEWS)