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.
Basically, the festival is about the commemoration of the Cebuanos to their origin as being pagans and their acceptance of Christianity. The celebration is also done by the youth where they named it as “Sinulog sa Kabataan” which is done a week before the parade. After the astonishing outburst of positive comments about Sinulog Festival, the second city of the Philippines, Cebu City, promoted it as tourist attraction. Aside from being a genuine tourist attraction, it also became a competitive avenue for street dancers outside Cebu as Sinulog was opened for any contingents willing to join the street dancing competition; thus making it more exciting, thrilling and inviting to the senses.
