Sinulog Festival – Cebu, Philippines
The Sinulog festival is one of the largest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. The major festival, held each year on the third Sunday of January, is to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu.
The festival is held in Cebu City, one of the most tourist towns in the Philippines. The festival is to celebrate the acceptance of Catholicism by locals, as well as the triumph of Christianity over secular religions that the country previously upheld. One of the most iconic hallmarks of the festival is the street parade whose grandeur makes it a tourist attraction itself. The parade, which often spans 12 hours, has participants drawn from locals from different parts of the country. They are usually adorned in resplendent regalia and will often engage in graceful rhythmic dance patterns. The entire scene is definitely a treat for the eyes. Aside from the colorful and festive dancing, the festival also features a contest where attendants can take part in the various categories and a trade fair where many quality exported products of Cebu are displayed and exchanged.
The festival lasts nine days, and its culmination is marked with the Sinulog Grand Parade. This is perhaps the most elaborate part of the Sinulog Festival, and certainly a favorite for many visitors.
Sinulog Festival – Cebu Philippines