5.2 million strong

My Sinulog 2026 experience was quite unique after strategically planning where to park our car and what route to take for all the walking. I arrived at the Cebu City Sports Center moments before the opening Mass began and waited until it was formally opened by two local chief executives. The vibe was very festive; everyone was greeting each other with a cheerful “Pit Señor!” The air was full of excitement and happiness as dancing contingents made their way to the contest venue along with the floats, higantes, and puppeteers.

Of course, it was not perfect. No event is, I would say. Let us leave out the part about several media personalities engaged in an intense discussion with a city consultant involved with the Public Information Office. We can talk instead about the slight delays in the program itself, moments when the crowd became restless and unruly under the heat. These are not unfamiliar scenes in gatherings of this magnitude, especially one that draws millions into a single urban space.

For me, numbers always matter. When the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office gave updates by the hour, after 3 P.M. it was finalized at 5.2 million. One can only imagine millions of devotees, performers, tourists, vendors, volunteers, and security personnel in Cebu for one special event. Imagine you and I made part of the large number surrounded by chants, drumbeats, dances, and images of the Santo Niño held high above the crowd.

What stood out to me most was the discipline quietly at work amid the chaos. Despite it being an inconvenience at some point, especially for those with legitimate IDs, force multipliers repeatedly cleared individuals outside of the ropes. There were far too many volunteers posted every how many meters. I also saw more moments of cooperation, strangers collecting water bottles, the cheering of performers to give them energy amid the heat while they try to smile through exhaustion.

Sinulog has always been described as a religious and cultural celebration, but it is also a logistical test and a mirror of how a city functions under pressure. Cebu City, for one weekend, became the gold standard despite road closures and other inconveniences. Even San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora was impressed.

There were moments when I stepped back from the crowd just to observe. I saw elderly devotees seated along the sidewalk, young dancers enjoying the moments while visitors applauded. These quiet gestures are easy to miss if one only focuses on the spectacle.

Sinulog 2026 may not have been flawless, but it was sincere. It reminded us why millions continue to show up year after year not just for the performances or the photos, but for a shared expression of faith, culture, and identity. In the end, Sinulog is less about perfection and more about participation. With 5.2 million strong, Cebu once again proved that its devotion and its ability to be a crowd-drawer is as enduring as it is loud.