Sinulog Festival 2013

Cebu! the Queen of the south

This year i had the opportunity to experience it's famous festival: the SINULOG FESTIVAL.

It takes an hour plane from Manila.
The Parade always starts at Mango Street of Cebu.
Parade: 6:00 am

Little did I know that Cebuano really makes effort to celebrate this annual fiesta! The word Sinulog also means Sunog or Ashes. 

Before they used to celebrate it with putting coals but then later on locals tend to use black shirts and disregard their own historical way of displaying ashes on their face. Currently, the tend to use face paint to produce a much more "fun" alternative than charcoals. Since then, this festival had been the most crazy face and body paint festival in the Philippines.

The festival happens every 2nd of January. This is the Cebuanos celebration for their patron saint Sto. Nino

Sto Nino is the Catholic's "Little Jesus" it was derived from Nino meaning little boy. Most of the Cebuanos are fond of children having their desire to celebrate thier saint. 

Fact: Cebu Sto. Nino skin is brown :)

 7AM VIEW OF THE STREET DANCING PARADE! 

 
















Early rise by the sound of the drums!

 

 Then by 9am we decided to head off to the streets of the Parade and take pictures of the different entries of the Street Dancing Presentation who have prepared for this momentous event!

 By chance! Jollibee cast was also part of the parade!

QUEENS and FLOATS!

Picture with the Tribe and their Queen :)

DERRICK RAMSAY ON FLOAT!!!

Got the chance to meet my childhood friend Ruan too!

I decided to get Henna Tatoo just for the heck of the parade! 

 Since all the roads in Cebu city are closed for the parade, No mode of transportaion are available if you want to check out the town. Therefore, we have to walk just to get to one place after getting around the busy festive streets. we now decided to head off to the party!!! 
So this is us, walking... and very tired!

 Like a boss :)

Finally made it to Mango Street :)

look at the tourist and locals with paint everywhere!

And we ended the day roaming around the streets of Cebu and I say the Cebuano's definitely know how to Party! it was a great experience and wonderful adventure to embrace their culture & celebration. I would love to do it again sometime. 

HAPPY PIT SENYOR!