Oldest Sinulog dancer performs at Casa Gorordo

CEBU, Philippines - Popular “Sinug” (Sinulog) dancer Estelita “Titang” Diola once again performed at the Casa Gorordo Museum yesterday as part of the unbroken tradition of the Gorordo household.

Titang, as the oldest sinulog dancer, is also known to be the keeper of the sinulog beat with the original two steps forward and one step backward movement or the kinampilan depicting sea movements or the sulug (current).

Titang’s niece, Carolina Diola who is also a sinulog dancer, said that her aunt started dancing the traditional sinug for the Gorodo’s since she was three years old together with her late father Macario Bontilao who taught her the sinug. 

Diola added that though her aunt is slowly loosing her hearing, her aunt is still willing to dance for the Santo Niño for as long as she can. She said that every time her aunt dances it really comes from her heart. “kinasing-kasing ni niya ang pag halad” she added. 

According to lola Titang, their annual sinug performance in the historic Gorordo house started from her father’s time way back around the 1930’s where she distinctly recall the Gorodo’s profound hospitality.

With over 70 years of selfless dedication for the preservation of the sinug, Titang never had the chance to have a family of her own.

At 83-years-old, she is the only known sinug dancer who successfully preserved the art of sinug and inspired others to follow through her example.

Titang also recalled the very first ‘Sinulog’ in 1981 during the time of Mayor Florentino Solon the “father” the Sinulog Festival.

However, during the first Sinulog, Titang accounted that men were only the once who were allowed to join the Sinulog, but throughout the years, women were allowed to dance as well. 

Together with over 30 sinug participants ranging from the youngest performer at 7-years-old and the oldest being lola Titang all from Barangay Mabolo danced once again at the Gorordo grounds in prayer for the souls of the Gorordos.

Meanwhile, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI) Executive Director for Culture and Heritage Jocelyn Gerra said that lola Titang is a living Cebuano heritage that the Cebuano’s should be proud of.

Aside from being part of the Gorodo’s tradition, the sinug of lola Titang also “help remind people of their rich heritage.” Adding that just like Titang with the sinug, RAFI is a “keeper of the house’s tradition and the Cebuanos tradition.”

As far as they can, Gerra promises to continue to preserve the rich Cebuano culture “until forever” to bring Cebuanos closer to their roots and to learn from them.

The sinug at the Gorordo is held at the first Monday after the feast of the Santo Niño.

According to Catholic belief, this day is dedicated for the souls.

An exhibit of the rich history of the sinug from its humble beginning to the present Sinulog Festival is also displayed at the gallery of the Gorordo Museum. This will be open until the end of January.   (FREEMAN NEWS)