CEBU, Philippines – Sinulog is a vibrant and lively celebration that brings thousands of families and friends together in the cities and towns of Cebu to honor the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus.
Even going to the religious celebrations of the Fiesta Señor, which coincides with the Sinulog festivities, is an uplifting and wholesome experience that connects devotees from all over the country in the local churches of the Queen City.
But if there’s anything worth noting about both events and their related weeks-long activities, it’s that they’re guaranteed to produce large crowds and jampacked streets like in previous years.
Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia himself said that they are expecting at least 3 million people to come and join the Sinulog and Fiesta Señor.
For our readers joining the celebration, we’ve prepared a list of 10 recommended items that will help ensure a safe and fun Sinulog and Fiesta Señor experience so check it out!
The schedule of Sinulog events can be found on the official Sinulog website. The pontifical mass and the grand parade take place on January 19.
Sun protection
If you’re going to be out and about, catching a glimpse of the parade floats or taking photos of the festival attractions, it’s ideal to bring an umbrella or a cap to fight off the heat of the sun.
Much like in previous years, there will be covered bleachers along the streets just in case having an umbrella or cap isn’t enough. Of course, these items would also be useful in the event that rain pours hard.
For those with sensitive skin, it’s recommended to bring sunscreen.
Reusable water bottle
In 2024, Cebu City’s Department of Public Services (DPS) recorded a total of 202.3 tons of waste left behind by the previous Sinulog celebration.
If you’re into being more eco-friendly and save money from purchasing plastic water bottles that could cost up to P30, it’s great to carry around a reusable water bottle or jug.
In many parts of the downtown area, you can find water refilling stations that only cost a peso at minimum.
Portable fan
While not entirely necessary to have, many devotees will find that having a portable or foldable fan would be useful to stave off the heat and help cool off in areas that may not have good ventilation.
If you’re going to be watching the Sinulog grand ritual dance showdown at the Cebu City Sports Center, it’s going to be a great item to have, especially in the event that there wouldn’t be enough industrial fans by the bleachers.
Powerbank
Due to the influx of festival goers, a large portion of the sidewalks are going to be filled to the max.
If you’re going out with friends or family, having a powerbank on hand means you would have enough battery power to take photos, navigate your way through the city, and make emergency calls whenever the need arises.
Pocket money
Speaking of paying for things you might need on the road, be sure to carry pocket money for the minor expenses.
As earlier mentioned, there are water refilling stations in downtown Cebu City to help keep you hydrated and most of these stations only accept coins for payment.
Other times, you may want to go to comfort rooms and some of them, whether public or private, may ask for a small fee, usually ranging from P5 to P10 per use.
Light clothing
In places like Barangay Pasil, festival participants will splash each other with water — a long-standing tradition for the locals there. Other areas will have foam parties and street parties where they throw paint or powder at people.
With this in mind, it’s ideal to wear light, breathable clothing and outfits that you would be fine with getting dirty. Bringing an extra t-shirt would also be a good idea for when you’re completely drenched or powdered up.
Additionally, wearing shoes may be better than wearing sandals as in some crowded areas, people tend to step on other people’s feet.
Towel or tissue paper
It goes without saying that you may want to wipe yourself down if you’re sweating or if you need to wipe something off your face so having a towel or tissue paper may come in handy.
Wet wipes can also be very useful for when you want to go to rest rooms that may run out of tissue paper or water due to the large amount of consumption brought about by the hundreds of festival goers.
Sling bag
Having a sling bag you can wear above your waist may be safer to have than a backpack as in previous Sinulog parades. Locals who carried backpacks during the festivities reported instances of pickpocketing and theft.
With a sling bag, you can carry all your valuables and secure them throughout the celebration.
Festive accessories
There are a couple of functional Sinulog-themed accessories that festival goers can already purchase in stores. These include whistles and headdresses that provide not just extra festive vibes but also can be used as a safety implement.
Whistles are often used to join in on the rhythm of bands playing the Pit Senyor festival song but these can also be used for situations that require self-defense.
A headdress may also serve as an alternative to wearing hats for protection from the sun.
Santo Niño replica
On January 9, the Fiesta Señor’s opening salvo will take place at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu.
If you will be attending this and the novena masses that follow, you can bring your replica of the image of the Santo Niño to join the spiritual aspect of the celebration.
The Santo Niño is the religious image of the Holy Child Jesus and is the foundation for the Sinulog and Fiesta Señor. In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan gifted the image of the Child Jesus to Queen Juana of Cebu after the first baptism in the Philippines.
For those looking to get their own replica, stores surrounding the Basilica sell replicas in different sizes and accessories to accompany your Santo Niño. – Rappler.com