For people in Visayas, especially in Cebu, there’s another holiday to look forward to after the New Year – it’s the Sinulog festival! It’s one of the country’s grandest festivals, with its colorful street parades, pageants, and parties that celebrate the Santo Niño (Holy Child.)
For teenagers and young adults, going to the Sinulog festival might mean endless street parties, dancing, and food trips. For those with families, however, Sinulog can be experienced in an entirely different way!
Young kids are often visual learners, and the Sinulog festival is a great way for them to learn about history, culture, and the Roman Catholic religion through its parades with colorful floats, its street dancers in extravagant costumes, and other cultural and religious activities scheduled that weekend.
If you’re headed out to Sinulog, be sure to prepare your little one for long walks under the sun. Here are some must-have items inside your baby bag during Sinulog weekend:
- Water Bottle
- Sunblock
- Insect Repellant
- Hat
- Extra Set of Comfortable Clothes
- Lampins
- Snacks
The History of Sinulog and What It Celebrates
The Santo Niño is the oldest religious relic in the Philippines, and it can be found in Cebu. It was given to Queen Juana of Cebu by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, and has remained there since.
Every year, Sinulog, or the Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, celebrates the arrival of the Santo Niño in Cebu and the conversion of the Cebuanos to Catholicism. Because of its festive Sinulog dance event and street parades, it’s a major tourist attraction that brings in millions of visitors each year.
Celebrating Sinulog with Family
Whether or not you’ll be in Cebu this Sinulog, there are several ways you can celebrate it and teach your children about the special festival. Here are some ideas:
1.) Learning the Sinulog dance together
There are many videos on the internet that show how to properly do the Sinulog dance. It can be a great afternoon activity for you and your children to learn the dance together and dance it come January 15.
2.) Have a Cebuano-themed Dinner
Cebuano food is known around the country thanks to its distinct flavors and use of local ingredients. Some hard-to-miss Cebuano native food include lechon, puso (which is rice wrapped in coconut leaves), and several sinugba (or grilled meat) dishes.
3.) Decorate your living room with colorful DIY decorations
Another great way to engage your little ones is by having them make DIY Sinulog-themed decorations which you can display in your living room for the weekend. As Sinulog is known for their vibrant floats and costumes, you can have your kids make some streamers and paintings in bright colors to hang on the walls.
4.) Surround yourself with fun, festive people
Whether you’re hitting up the Cebu street parades during Sinulog weekend or staying at home, being with fun, festive people can definitely make your weekend a lot more fun. Invite family and friends to join you in celebrating Sinulog, whether by watching the parades with you and your little ones, or by enjoying some music, dancing, and traditional food at home.
5.) Teach your children why Sinulog is celebrated
Of course, behind the colorful floats and costumes and all the street parties, Sinulog has a deeper significance that dates back centuries. It’s an important part of Cebuano culture and history, and it’d be great for your little ones to learn about it as early as possible so they learn to appreciate it.
The same way the Sinulog festival is a yearly tradition for Cebuanos to get together to celebrate their commonness, it is also a great way for you to spend time with family, connect with your faith (if you’re a practicing Catholic), or simply connect with your history as a Filipino. There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate the festival, for as long as you remember the reason why you’re celebrating in the first place. Viva Santo Niño!
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