I heard the sounds of the deafening drums, the loud instructions from people, probably dance masters because they were counting and instructing steps, and the noisy talks from people in the quadrangle of our school. Curios, I glanced at where the noises were coming from. And there, I was dazzled and amazed by the graceful dancers. They were shouting “Pit senyor!” all throughout their dance. My mom walked beside me as she led me to the exit gate. I was on my home at that time. My mom noticed my blank face and so she told me, “they are preparing for the Sinulog Festival this year”.
I couldn’t forget the first time I heard the word “Sinulog”. It was October of 2001, I being a grade 4 student. I couldn’t sleep that night thinking of how I could persuade my teacher to let me join that dance. When morning came, I eagerly waited for my teacher to arrive and by the time she did, I enthusiastically asked her if I could join the dance. Well, to my disappointment, she didn’t allow me. She told me I was too young and I couldn’t keep up with the practices. I realized that I couldn’t say anything anymore to change her mind so I decided to give up. She saw that I was disheartened and so she promised me to let me join as soon as I’m a 5 grader. My heart was too excited to wait another 7 months before June of my grade 5 months will start. But then, I had no option left and so I just hang on to her promise to me.
“WE ARE THE CHAMPION FOR SINULOG SA KABATAAN 2002”, this was the phrase I heard from our choreographer, Jun Oliver Figueroa, after we performed in the Sinulog sa Kabataan. I was greatly overwhelmed by the results. Our hard work and practices, all of them, were recognized and has been given an award by the Sinulog foundation. Since then, I dance in Sinulog Festival every year.
Last year, 2008, was the most memorable year for me. Why? I was the Sinulog Festival Queen! It was such an honor for me to be chosen as the one who will carry the Sr. Santo Nino. I will be the one who will hold the patron saint of Cebu during the entire dance. I, joining in last year’s Sinulog was not a competition for me, instead I considered it as an offering to the holy child. It was my way of saying thank you to God for all the blessings I and my family have received in the past years. Ever since, God has always been good to my family. It is an honor to be part of the Sinulog festival and dance for Sr. Santo Nino and not just be a spectator of this marvelous festival.
I consider this Festival truly as the mother of all festivals since this is the time of the year when Cebuanos, as well as other people from all over the world, gather to witness such a magnificent festivity. The well designed colorful costumes, the amazing choreography, the cooperation showed by the Sinulog casts, the breath taking finale and fireworks display are just parts of the festival. The high light of this event is to showcase the beauty of religion here in the small but industrialized island of Cebu. We have a beautiful and marvelous way of expressing our faith to God and one of its manifestations is the magical Sinulog Festival. Cebu is truly a place of religious and faithful people.
PIT SENYOR! Sinulog Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. May the Sinulog Festival be as magical and as beautiful in the coming years as it has always been before.
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