Sinulog 2026 draws millions as festival-goers celebrate traditions old and new

CEBU, Philippines – Streets filled with color, revelers dancing to the sound of beating drums, and phones out at the ready to capture the smiles of celebrities: these were the sights to behold during the celebration of the Sinulog festival on Sunday, January 18.

More than 4 million people attended the grand fiesta that was held at the Queen City of the South, Cebu City, according to officials from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO).

Thousands of people filled Cebu City sidewalks to full capacity, yet residents and tourists — both senior citizens and young children — still pushed through to watch the 37 contingents performing from various cities, towns, and provinces

Among those that brought their whole family to the celebration is 70-year-old grandmother Marcelina Lepon, a long-time devotee of the Child Jesus and a resident of Naga City.

“Tibuok pamilya namo muari jud kay mao man naandan ba…Nindot kaayo karon kay nabalik na gikan sa [South Road Properties],” Lepon said. 

(Our whole family really comes here because it’s our tradition…it’s great now because it’s back from the South Road Properties)

Prior to making a return to its traditional venue at the Cebu City Sports Center and surrounding streets, the Sinulog was celebrated at the South Road Properties for two years.

This year, Lepon watched the celebration along B. Rodriguez Street, near the Fuente Osmeña Circle, one of the major sightseeing areas of the Sinulog Grand Parade route. 

She shared that many things have changed since the first celebration of the Sinulog festivities in 1980. Lepon, who was present for the 1981 Sinulog, said that performers used to bring the silhig or the traditional Filipino soft broom while dancing.

From the early 2000s to present-day, contingents participating in the Sinulog Ritual Dance Showdown and Grand Parade continue to bring in new and creative props and designs to the performances.

But for Lepon, the one thing that hasn’t changed in the Sinulog is being able to attend with her family and praying for good fortune to the Child Jesus (Senior Santo Niño) that may be inherited by the generations that come after her.

“It’s a tradition we’re happy to keep,” Lepon said in Cebuano.

Making a tradition

Family traditions aren’t the only things making yearly comebacks at the Sinulog celebration.

Tristan Pernez, a resident of Bais City, Negros Oriental, made his second visit to Cebu as a performer in the Hudyaka Sa Bais: Festival of Harvest contingent, competing in the Sinulog Ritual Dance Showdown

His contingent is one of 12 out-of-town contingents joining the competition, which carries a P3-million cash prize for the winning ritual dance performance.

But Pernez, in an interview with Rappler, said that he’s not here for the cash prize.

“Ganahan kaayo ko makahalad sa balaang bata nga si Senior Santo Niño (I really want to give my offerings to the Holy Child that is Senior Santo Niño),” the performer said.

The Sinulog comes from the Cebuano word Sulog, which means movement like that of the river current. The wave-like movements are incorporated into ritual dances performed by candle vendors in front of churches every Fiesta Señor—the religious celebration strongly tied to the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

These dances are done as offerings to the Holy Child for devotees who are seeking His grace and compassion during trying times.

“Ginaampo lang namo sa Santo Niño nga permi mi niya ubanan ug tagaan mi niya og kakusog sa lawas (We just pray to the Santo Niño that he will always be with us and that he will give us strength),” Pernez said.

Taking a short break before dancing again along Cebu streets, Pernez told Rappler he hopes to return next year and make it ‘his tradition of devotion.” – Rappler.com