The Grand Parade Carousel of Sinulog Festival 2012

It’s been almost a week but I still have Sinulog hangover. I can’t get over with the experience I had during the festival. Actually, I have never been to any major festivals here in the Philippines, and so when I watched the Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel, it made me more enthusiast to witness more festivals here in the Philippines.

Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu, Philippines. It’s a celebration to honor Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu.

A lot of participants in and outside Cebu joined this event, dancing to the rhythm of drums and native songs.

Since I have friends who live in Cebu, I let them plan the trip and everything about the Sinulog festival. They told me it’s difficult to watch the parade from the sidewalk so they suggested for us to register as a photographer during the parade. And so we did. We paid PHP 1,000 for registration which includes Sinulog T-Shirt, Photographer’s ID and access to the parade. Also, the registration is an entry to Sinulog’s Photo Contest! =)

We arrived at Fuente Osmeña at around 8:30 AM, just in time for the parade which starts at 9:00 AM. Too bad we weren’t able to go to a mass before heading here. Participants were already lined up along the Sinulog parade route,  getting ready for a colorful parade.

We walked along the Osmeña Boulevard and checked out the other contingents.

A little after 9:00 AM the parade started. We settled ourselves near the Judges’ station, where participants perform for pre-judging before entering the Grand Stand.

To kick off our Sinulog experience, we witnessed these young ones performing their cute and snappy dance.

I remember my school days when we always have something like this (school performance, cultural show and group exhibition). Another contingent composed of young ones. This group shows enjoyment while doing their street dance.

Each contingent has its own Festival Queen. This group has two.

This one is one of my favorites. It’s simple and I like it.

Then at around 10:00 AM, me and my friends decided to take our lunch first. We went to the nearest Casa Verde.

After eating at Casa Verde, we rested for awhile while we wait for the parade to resume. The parade was on break.

It was about 1:30 PM when the parade resumed. We went back to our place at the judges’ station. The crowd got thicker by this time. A lot of photographers were also in the area.

Look how these enthusiasts captured the parade. I was amazed on some who took effort to bring ladder. They must be serious on getting the Grand Prize for the Best Photo!

Because of the numbers of photographers in the area, I sometimes hustled myself so I can take a good photo. #effort!

Aside from ritual street dance, the parade also has Mascots and float which usually came from organizations and companies in Cebu.

Of course, known and showbiz personalities joined the parade, too! (Ang ganda pala ni Iza Calzado sa personal)

The parade wasn’t just colorful but it’s also artistic and inventive.

And more… I ran out of words to describe it but everything looked impressive.

Now featuring some of the Festival Queens during the Sinulog 2012 Grand Parade Carousel…

Festival Queens were the center of attraction.

Looks like not all Festival Queens are Queens…

And the Festival Queen Winner is…

No doubt if she was crowned as Festival Queen of all Queens.

It was already 5:00 PM, there was an on and off drizzle to rain fall. And the place was getting chaotic. Crowds from sidewalk were getting into the parade area. I can’t take good photos anymore because of the crowd making the place crammed, and I got tired! Also, the parade stops from time to time (we got bored to wait) and so we decided to move on and checked the other groups. We planned to check their performances at the Sports Complex but we’re too tired to do so.

Sinulog Festival is truly colorful and very fine festival to watch out for. One must experience Sinulog. Aside from its history and honor to Sto. Niño, the festival also shows culture and aesthetic.

I enjoyed my first experience and I will definitely go back to Cebu to watch more of this festive event. Also, will definitely take much better photos! 😉

Next on my list: MassKara Festival! Anyone?