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 Festival Queen 4

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.

Sinulog 1

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.

Sinulog 2

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.

Sinulog 8

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

Sinulog 5Sinulog 4

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

Sinulog 3

More of the parade.

Sinulog 6Sinulog 10

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!

Sinulog Photographers

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.

Sinulog Float 2Sinulog Parade Mascot 2Sinulog Parade Mascot 1

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

Sinulog Float 1

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

Sinulog 15
Bringing creativity to their performance with unique theme.

Sinulog 11Sinulog 14

More of the parade.

Sinulog 9

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

Sinulog 7
Sinulog 10Sinulog 17

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

Sinulog 12Sinulog 13

Festival Queens were the center of attraction.

Sinulog Festival Queens 1Sinulog Festival Queens 2

Looks like not all Festival Queens are Queens…

Sinulog 16

And the Festival Queen Winner is…

Sinulog Festival Queens 3

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?

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25 Responses

  1. marxtermind says:

    Baka mag Sinulog ulit ako next year and ka-careerin ko na ang pagpipicture. Hahaha!

  2. grabe na goosebumps ako promise. feeling ko naki-attend din. ganyan din naramdaman ko nung nabasa ko yung masskara festival nina chyng at mica. Iba talaga ang mga festival dito no. nakakakilabot sa ganda. Next year nga maka attend din. tapos diretso ng bantayan. hihihi!

  3. grabe na goosebumps ako promise. feeling ko naki-attend din. ganyan din naramdaman ko nung nabasa ko yung masskara festival nina chyng at mica. Iba talaga ang mga festival dito no. nakakakilabot sa ganda. Next year nga maka attend din. tapos diretso ng bantayan. hihihi!

  4. marxtermind says:

    @Robbie, Tara Sinulog next year, punta ako ulit sa Cebu next year for Sinulog! Hehehe! =)

    @Ian | Going Places, indeed! gagaling lang nga mga contingents! kaka-inspire sumali. hehehe!

    @dong ho, wow thanks! I'll never get tired of going back to Cebu because of this!

  5. marxtermind says:

    @Robbie, Tara Sinulog next year, punta ako ulit sa Cebu next year for Sinulog! Hehehe! =)

    @Ian | Going Places, indeed! gagaling lang nga mga contingents! kaka-inspire sumali. hehehe!

    @dong ho, wow thanks! I'll never get tired of going back to Cebu because of this!

  6. dong ho says:

    great captures Marx. it's amazing how it becomes more and more colorful. i remember able to experience it 5times when i stayed in Cebu. like what youve said, i believe i need to experience it again.

  7. dong ho says:

    great captures Marx. it's amazing how it becomes more and more colorful. i remember able to experience it 5times when i stayed in Cebu. like what youve said, i believe i need to experience it again.

  8. No wonder why Festivals is MORE fun in the Philippines!

  9. No wonder why Festivals is MORE fun in the Philippines!

  10. Robbie says:

    Ever since I saw photos of Sinulog Festival online, I made it a point to include it to my bucket list. Parang sobrang festive kasi. Then I found out madami pang bang magagandang festivals sa PH! Pero sana next year makadalo na rin ako ng Sinulog.

  11. Robbie says:

    Ever since I saw photos of Sinulog Festival online, I made it a point to include it to my bucket list. Parang sobrang festive kasi. Then I found out madami pang bang magagandang festivals sa PH! Pero sana next year makadalo na rin ako ng Sinulog.

  12. marxtermind says:

    @Hoobert the Awesome, Ang ganda talaga nung parade! Di ko din alam tawag pero sana next time di na ako mapagod para mapanood ko! Hehehe! =)

    Yup Canon shirt with Nikon DSLR! Lol!

    Umuwi na kasi ako kinabukasan, di sinumbmit ng friend ko ung mga photos ko! 🙁

  13. marxtermind says:

    @Hoobert the Awesome, Ang ganda talaga nung parade! Di ko din alam tawag pero sana next time di na ako mapagod para mapanood ko! Hehehe! =)

    Yup Canon shirt with Nikon DSLR! Lol!

    Umuwi na kasi ako kinabukasan, di sinumbmit ng friend ko ung mga photos ko! 🙁

  14. Bongga talaga ang Sinulog. Talagang pinaghahandaan ng mga organizers and ng mga participants. Patalbugan sa dance and costumes.

    So di na kayo nakapanood nung showdown (ano bang tawag dun?) Last night, I saw yung video nung nanalo sa Free Interpretation category, yung mga taga-Masbate. It was all over the news here. Then I saw din yung video nung grand prize winner daw – Sinanduloy CT. I super liked it. Gondo gondo. I wonder kung kasama sila sa nag-parade. Di ko nakita. Basta gold and white ang suot nila. Ay 2011 yata yun. Hahaha.

    So naka-Canon shirt din kayo? Astig. Less hassle yun. Sumali ka sa photo contest?

  15. Bongga talaga ang Sinulog. Talagang pinaghahandaan ng mga organizers and ng mga participants. Patalbugan sa dance and costumes.

    So di na kayo nakapanood nung showdown (ano bang tawag dun?) Last night, I saw yung video nung nanalo sa Free Interpretation category, yung mga taga-Masbate. It was all over the news here. Then I saw din yung video nung grand prize winner daw – Sinanduloy CT. I super liked it. Gondo gondo. I wonder kung kasama sila sa nag-parade. Di ko nakita. Basta gold and white ang suot nila. Ay 2011 yata yun. Hahaha.

    So naka-Canon shirt din kayo? Astig. Less hassle yun. Sumali ka sa photo contest?

  16. marxtermind says:

    @JeffZ, sagabal talaga ang work sa travel! hahaha…

    Gusto ko din mag-MassKara Festival! Abang-abang ng seat sale!

    @Batang Lakwatsero, ako din namahalan sa 1k kasi last year daw 500 lang. Pero after all, sulit din pla kesa makipagsiksikan ako sa side walk! 🙂

  17. marxtermind says:

    @JeffZ, sagabal talaga ang work sa travel! hahaha…

    Gusto ko din mag-MassKara Festival! Abang-abang ng seat sale!

    @Batang Lakwatsero, ako din namahalan sa 1k kasi last year daw 500 lang. Pero after all, sulit din pla kesa makipagsiksikan ako sa side walk! 🙂

  18. buti ka pa nakapag sinulog na.. haha.. ang ganda ng shots. namamahalan ako sa photog's pass pero mukhang sulit naman.. hehe.. humanda sakin yan sa 2013.

  19. buti ka pa nakapag sinulog na.. haha.. ang ganda ng shots. namamahalan ako sa photog's pass pero mukhang sulit naman.. hehe.. humanda sakin yan sa 2013.

  20. JeffZ says:

    u have to anticipated na pag may festival palageng sandamakmak ang photographers.. tas minsan pa sa kanila ka maiinis kasi gahaman sa pagkuha ng pictures.. haha the pictures can really represent how festive sinulog is.. Sadly, I missed this because of work schedule, I was preparing for this last year but oh well.. next year hopefully..

    I'm looking forward to Masskara! 🙂

  21. JeffZ says:

    u have to anticipated na pag may festival palageng sandamakmak ang photographers.. tas minsan pa sa kanila ka maiinis kasi gahaman sa pagkuha ng pictures.. haha the pictures can really represent how festive sinulog is.. Sadly, I missed this because of work schedule, I was preparing for this last year but oh well.. next year hopefully..

    I'm looking forward to Masskara! 🙂

  22. marxtermind says:

    @Chyng, oo nga eh… next time mas effortan ko pa mag picture, dami kasi photographers! nagagalit na nga yung judge pag naguumpukan mga photogrpahers! hahaha! 🙂

  23. marxtermind says:

    @Chyng, oo nga eh… next time mas effortan ko pa mag picture, dami kasi photographers! nagagalit na nga yung judge pag naguumpukan mga photogrpahers! hahaha! 🙂

  24. Chyng says:

    grabe, pictures mo palang nagka-goosebumps na ko. bonggang bongga ang festival na to. and nice thing pala nag-avail ka ng photog's pass, ganda ng shots. unobstructed!

  25. Chyng says:

    grabe, pictures mo palang nagka-goosebumps na ko. bonggang bongga ang festival na to. and nice thing pala nag-avail ka ng photog's pass, ganda ng shots. unobstructed!

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