Held every 3rd Sunday of January, Sinulog Festival is crowned as one of the best distinguished, grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. It is celebrated annually in the city of Cebu as part of their religious transformation from being pagans to being Christians. Like other patronal fiestas, Cebuanos celebrate the nine-day festivity with a Fluvial Parade a day before the Sinulog Grand Parade, which is the last event. People dance with the rhythm of the music sang by drums, trumpets and native gongs. It’s believed that the dance steps of Sinulog originated from the Rajah Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay. Baladhay was sick and so, Rajah Humabon sent him to the room where the Santo Nino was in together with other gods that Cebuanos praise. After few days, Baladhay began shouting because he was tried to wake up tickled by a child with a midrib of a coconut. Then, the child made fun of him, in turn, Baladhay danced with the little child and announced to the people that it is actually the dance of the river, thus giving the steps of Sinulog Festival: two steps forward, one step backward.
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