Surviving the Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines – The Sinulog festivities are now going full blast. Then the various activities culminate in the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, January 17. This is touted as "the biggest fiesta of the Philippines," drawing a very huge crowd.

Visitors, foreign and local, must already be in town by now. It is presumably already hard to book a flight or a hotel room at this time. And given the huge number of people gathered in the city for this exciting occasion, certain concerns emerge.

Business establishments try to outdo one another with special promotions, especially the nightlife businesses. Those who love to drink are advised to pace their drinking properly. While it may be hard to resist the temptation, too much alcohol in the body would do more harm than good.

Amid the bustle of the festival, particularly during the Sinulog Grand Parade, the main concern should be personal safety and wellbeing. It takes some effort to get everything covered. Only with the right preparation will one's Sinulog experience go smoothly and truly fun.

Plan ahead. Try to figure out your activities beforehand, what events you want to witness or be part of, where would these take place, the things you'll need etc. You may need to do little research on this - ask around, watch out for media advisories, check things out on the internet. Know about the Grand Parade route, restaurants and water stations along the way. Check if there's available public transportation close to the center of the action; if not think about booking a car from the known car rentals around: Dreb Guani (Phone: 09175332556/412-7229), Cebu Easy (Phone: 09228623822/239-2022) and Model (Phone: 09053379164/3210896).

Prepare your needs. As you have decided on your activities, imagine what personal essentials you would need. Think of such basic things like medicines, biscuits, candies, tissue paper, sunvisor or umbrella or wide-brimmed hat, and extra shirt. Have these ready in advance and put them in a bag of just the right size for easy carrying.

Get enough rest before heading out. Say, have a good sleep the night before the event or even just an hour or so of good rest before going out. Remember: Amid the thick crowd you will have to do a lot of walking. You will need to be in good physical condition and have a lot of reserve energy.

Wear comfortable clothing. As you will have to wade your way through crowds of people, it helps to be in an outfit that allows you to move freely, at least. Tough and comfortable shoes are very important since, again, there's going to be a lot of walking. The ladies will have to forgo with the heels. Rubber shoes are ideal. And expensive jewelries are better left at home.

Eat a good meal. Aside from sleep, a good, nutritious meal is necessary before heading out. It can boost physical energy required for a tough day out.

Brace yourself for rain or shine. An umbrella is a versatile shield from both the sun and the rain. The folding type is especially easy to carry, handheld or slipped in the bag.

Beware of the sun. Have protection from the sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the sun at this time is known to be harmful to the skin and eyes. Wear sunglasses and a hat, apply sunblock lotion before going out and have some in your bag in case you need to re-apply in the course of the day.  Also, try to shield yourself from the heat of the sun as it can cause sunstroke.

Hydrate accordingly. Drink water as often as you can. Have a spare bottle of drinking water in your bag, aside from the one you hold in your hand. The sun may get fierce and it may be difficult to go buy bottled water when you're holed up in a sea of people.

Take some rest every now and then. The Sinulog festivities, the Grand Parade in particular, goes on for a whole day. Even attending Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño could eat up most of the day, considering the difficulty in going to and coming from the venue. Thus, it is necessary to take a quick rest at every chance there is - say, at a bench under the shade of a tree or building, or on the grass in a windy park. Or, sit a little while longer when you go for a drink at a nearby café.

Go with someone. Sinulog or any public celebration is better enjoyed with good company. Ask if some of your friends or relatives are also planning to go, and then you go together. The group, though, should not be too large for comfort. Ideally, just go with a friend or a family member, so there are not too many companions to adjust plans with. With even just one companion, you are okay to explore the side areas to the main festival streets.

If you have to go alone, be sure to keep on the safe side. For example, tell someone about your itinerary; a smartphone is very helpful in sharing information of your whereabouts every step of the way. Go, meet people and make new friends.

Keep close watch of your valuables. Money and gadgets must be tucked away safely. Pickpockets and snatchers also abound in the festival events. So, always be watchful of your belongings. Only let out a gadget - camera or phone - that you can securely hold in your hand; keep the rest inside your bag. The bag shall be of the right size that you can carry on your front as you move about.

Take photographs! Sinulog is always a new experience. Even those that habitually join the festival will attest that there are different, fresh things to encounter every time. Hence, it's a rich opportunity for taking pictures for posterity. Also, pictures are good share with friends who do not have the chance to join the festivities themselves.

All these ideas, however, will not guarantee a thoroughly trouble-free Sinulog experience. There may be certain things that one cannot realistically prepare for. But at least, one is likely to encounter lesser trouble by keeping these tips in mind.