When in Cebu: During the Climactic Weekend of Sinulog

Let’s skip first the two night party where we had a blast and get on with the climactic Sunday’s grand parade. 

Since I already shared the excitement and photos of my Sinulog experience, what I will be sharing to you right now is what you should expect, could and could not do during the climactic weekend or the grand parade day.   My previous post is a bit summarized because I was a “blogger on the run” during those days.  I am actually amazed how I managed to post entries during those times.  So here are some important things that you should take note of if you are in Cebu during the climactic weekend of the Sinulog Festival.

Traffic.
You can’t go to the places that you wish to go.  The farthest place that you will reach is to where the grand parade is passing through.  The parade usually starts from Cebu Sports Complex and will pass through major streets and avenues.   We took a cab and told the driver to bring us anywhere near the parade and he gladly said yes.  He drove  for five minutes, took a curb and drop us off in a corner which I surmise is that we can walk in fifteen to twenty minutes from the place where we hail him (LOL smart cabby).   We were dropped off near Mango avenue and we walk our way to the center of the parade.



Be ready to walk.
You need to walk under the blazing January sun. The good thing is that you will be able to explore the streets by foot.

What to wear and what to bring.
Wear comfortable street clothes and shoes. Bring camera and video – you will miss one half of your life if you don’t have one.

WHAT YOU EXPECT TO SEE

Everything that you will see in a provincial feast day only that this one is bigger and grander.  There are people everywhere. If you’re not a mixed people person and not ready to be deglamorized, don’t try going out from where you are BUT hey you will miss one half of your life!

Spectacularly designed floats with muses and the most graceful Sinulog dancers.



Banderitas (Flaglets),    Buri hats, masks.




You will be an out cast if you don’t wear face paint and tattoo .

Tourist and Professional Photographers.
Some tourist are there just to enjoy the experience, some are really documenting the event. I was amazed how some photographers follow the swaying Sinulog dancers and catch every move and even take some close up photos.  There’s an annual Sinulog photography contest and the winners are being displayed in galleries.



Sinulog muses and celebrities! (Whoops!)

We are not allowed to get inside the parade rope, but you can not stop these two (feeling) celebrities.

(“Ang kulet ko ayaw paawat sa loob ng parade ha ha ha!”)  I’m persistent that my photo be taken inside the security rope.  After these photos I was escorted out LOL!

The real Sinulog muses and celebrities. 


What you can eat and drink.
Cebu is known for its famous lechon and danggit but while you’re in the street during the parade, you will forget about them and the food around you are all tempting.  Fast food restaurants are the best solutions if you are hungry.  But if you are experimental in trying Cebu’s street food, they are everywhere.  Sipping soft drinks in a plastic (only in the Philippines) is one of my most hated thing to do but I did not have a choice when I was real thirsty ha ha.  No drinks in can was available and we need to catch up and take photos of each performing tribe.

Disappointments
You will not be able to explore the places that you would want to visit during the grand parade. You will be trapped somewhere with the parade somehow.  The parade is really LOOOONG and they have particular places where each tribe is performing the Sinulog Dance.  We wanted to go to the Basilica de Sto. Niṅo de Cebu but no taxi wanted to drive us there until the parade is over (and it will not be over soon).  We look for nearby church where we can celebrate the Sunday mass and we are lucky that the National Shrine of St. Joseph is nearby.  Finding places by chance added to the delight of this unplanned trip.



You may want to read some facts about Cebu’s Sinulog  here.