ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Sinulog sa Cebu: Day 3

Only nine of us would be riding the boat and join the fluvial procession. The rest would be waiting at the pier for the image to arrive. As early as 4AM, we are ready to leave.

While waiting for the first batch infront of the Teo-Fel, we saw teenagers running towards us and then a large BANG! (sound of a gun). We immediately went back inside the pension house and knelt (leaving the cameras by the pension house's door). A bullet hit the hanging of the pension house where we are standing earlier. Good thing, the bullet was aimed high lest one of us would have been hit by the bullet. Thus, instead of walking towards Pier 1, we took a taxi.


We managed to ride a boat allotted for the media--we heard one camera club rented a tug boat so they would be able to join the parade. Even without taking pictures, riding the boat and joining the fluvial procession is already an experience!

Unlike other fluvial procession wherein the image is in a barge while the rest of the devotees attempt to ride said barge (which usually causes accidents), the Sto. Nino is in a separate boat. It would be infront of the other boats participating in the procession. The boats are decorated lavishly and have people in costumes carrying the Sto. Nino image, moving it to the beat of the drums. Many devotees are waiting at the bridge, wall, pier, etc. Everytime the boat with the image passes, you can see people waiving or lifting their Sto. Nino image as if it is dancing.

As soon as the boat containing the image docks, group dancers would be infront of it as it the image is led to the Basilica del Sto. Nino. As advised, we must be already inside the Basilica before the image enters it else we would not be able to come in.

At the Basilica, there is also a re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon.


Had an early lunch at Chowking and proceeded back to Teo-Fel for some rest. The solemn procession would begin around 2PM. We managed to join the procession and positioned ourselves above the altar.


Around 6:30PM, it would be the start of the Sinulog Festival Queen 2008 at the Cebu City Sports Center. But first, we had dinner at Mango Brutus.

Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of Sto. Nino. The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward to the sound of the drums.

The candidates for the Sinulog Festival Queen are presented to the audience. They were judged according to three categories: personality (the judges have earlier met the candidates), the dance (3-minute dance with their contingent), and how graceful the queens dance the sinulog (individual).

After we are satisfied with our shots, decided to rest and go back to Teo-Fel. Caught the announcing of winners on the TV.

posted by ~GFA~ @ 1/19/2008 11:09:00 PM