When someone mention the place Cebu, Philippines the first thing that people will think of is the Sinulog Festival. Sinulog Festival are not only popular with the Filipinos but also to other people from foreign land. Sinulog dance is a dance that puts the Philippines specifically Cebu in the map.
THE SINULOG DANCE
Sinulog dance is another way to give tribute to Sto. Niño. Sinulog dance is composed of two steps forward and one step backward dance steps accompanied by the sounds of the drum. Sinulog’s name derived from the word Sulog which means “like water current movement”.
According to Sinulog dance history, Sinulog dance came to life when Baladhay, Rajah Humabon’s adviser got sick and because Rajah Humabon was worried, Rajah Humabon instructed his men to put Baladhay in a room where Sto. Niño is placed together with other pagan gods of the Cebuanos. Days passed, they heard Baladhay shouting and found dancing. According to Baladhay he was awaken by a little child who was on top of him at that time then the little child make fun of Baladhay then Baladhay danced with the little child. They danced the two steps forward, one step backward movement or the movements of the river. It is believed that the dance movements was Sto. Niño choice. In the present time, those dance steps are known as the Sinulog dance.
THE SINULOG FESTIVAL
Sinulog festival was first organized last 1980 and until now it is being celebrated during the third Sunday of January. The festival is composed of different presentation from different groups in Cebu. All participants are in colorful costumes and dance with the native songs. Each dance may be different from one another but all of them has the same purpose and that is to show how colorful Cebu tradition is and to pay tribute to Sto. Niño.
Sinulog festival story originate way back to the times of the Spaniard colonization. The Spaniards introduced Christianity to the Filipinos and they also introduce Sto. Niño to the natives. The Sinulog origins derived from the story of Queen Juana formerly known as Hara Amihan, the wife of Rajah Humabon. Queen Juana was found dancing with the Sto. Niño while the other natives is also dancing copying every movement she makes and it was considered as the first Sinulog.
THE SINULOG FESTIVAL TODAY
The feast of Sto. Niño is being celebrated every third Sunday of January in different places who is having their own fiesta but among those places, Cebu is the most popular place when it comes to the feast day of Sto. Niño. Their Sinulog Festival attracts many tourists from different countries. Sinulog Festival became one of the Cebu’s tourist attractions because of the vast attention they are getting from many tourists.
Yearly, Sinulog Festival never fail to amaze their visitors, they always bring something amazing to watch and though it became more festive the main reason of the Sinulog is not yet forgotten and that is to pay respect and tribute to Sto. Niño.