One of hundreds of people parading the figurine.

For the glory of the Señor Sto. Niño.

Sinulog

Sinulog is an annual Cebuano festival celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of January. The festival commemorates how the early Cebuanos accepted Christianity back in the 15th century. Read more about Sinulog on Wikipedia.

What tourists from outside the country don't know (or care much) about, I think, is that on the eve of the festival, a very solemn procession is held by the devotees. It starts and ends at the Basilica del Sto. Niño ending with a mass and a Sinulog dance offering by the people. IMO, this is the heart of the entire Sinulog celebration.

The Procession

This year, the route was long but the good thing is it passed by larger roads unlike last year. My mother and I joined in the procession by E-Mall then walked to V. Rama, B. Rodriguez, Jones then back to the Basilica. When we got back to the Basilica, it was closed on the front so we had to go to the back of the Pilgrim Center, looking for a way to get in. When we got to the back of the Pilgrim Center, a large crowd was already waiting. Why? They closed the entrance gates even though Pilgrim Center can still accommodate hundreds of people. And did I mention it was raining lightly? Yes, they could bear to watch devotees drenched in cold rain. ;)

In this crowd, I took this pic of a larger than usual figure of the saint. See left. They wouldn't let us in so the whole crowd (including me) pleaded in louder than usual voices to let us in. And they did. How can you stop the loud chanting of a multitude of devotees? So we got in and settled. The roofless center area of Pilgrim Center quickly filled up with people. In a matter of minutes, I could no longer move around freely.

The Song of Songs

I noticed there was a new song this year that seemed to be in tune with the Sinulog beat. It kind of sounded like a chant. Didn't get the name. Anyway, there is a song named "Batobalani sa Gugma" that is sang for the saint. It's like the theme song. Let me try to put it (contextually) in English so you can get the message (assuming I have a reader, and that reader does not understand Bisaya). The translation is in italics.

Gozos, Batobalani sa Gugma
According to my trusted online dictionary, binisaya.com, Batobalani means magnet. Of course, gugma is love.

Bato balani sa gugma,
Sa daang tawo palangga.
Magnet of love, loved by hundreds of people.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGGILABA
Have mercy on us who are beseeching you.

Dinhi sa siyudad sa Sugbo
ang matahum mong larawan.
sa unang mga misyonero,
sa usang balay hipalgan.
Kanila ikaw nagpakita
gikan da sa imong gugma.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGGILABA
Have mercy on us who are beseeching you.

Giludhan ka ug gisimba
niadtong mga kaparian
sa tanang mga katawhan
sa mga ponoan nila:
kay sa pagtan-aw kanimo
Kristiyanos sila nahimo.
Priests and people kneeled for and adored you,
because in seeing you, they became Christians.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA
Have mercy on us who are beseeching you.

Ang simbahan gipatindog
niadtong mga tawhana,
aron ang larawan nimo
dunay usang puluyanan.
ug didto gihangyo nila
nga kaluy-an nimo sila.
Those people made a church to place your image in.
And there they asked for your mercy.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA
Have mercy on us who are beseeching you.

Nangayo kami kanimo
nga ang matahum mong larawan,
sa sulud sa kalag namo
makahimog puluyanan,
kay sa tanang kinahanglan
ikaw ang among dalangpan.
We ask you to let your image live in our soul,
because you are who we run to for all our needs.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA
Have mercy on us who are beseeching you.

Did I hit that right? Let me know and post a comment. When this is sang, the people wave their hands at the saint. Here's what it looks like when the saint's figurine enters the church grounds. People face his direction, sing this song, and wave. Gives me the goosebumps (the good kind) all the time.

The Dance

After the mass comes the part that all the devotees love to participate in: the Sinulog dance offering for the saint. I like being in the crowd at this point of the celebration. You could imagine, was it like this when it first happened? Did the early Cebuanos offer a tribal dance to a new found god? Was it really like this when it started? If you think about it, this tradition has spanned centuries. As long as I can, I will take part in this centuries-old tradition.

In the dance, devotees raise their figurines ( andeven large child-size versions!) and dance with the drum beat of the Sinulog. Where else can you find a more joyous, festive, lively yet solemn form of prayer? Pit Senyor!

Will post photos of the festival within the week. Stay tuned. :)

This photo is under the following photo sets.

Monochromatics

Photowalks

Events & Occasions

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