A unique Cebuano celebration

The feast of the Holy Child is something that I always look forward to next to Christmas. I am not particularly excited of the Mardi Gras or what’s touted as the Sinulog but the significance of the occasion. No, I am not religious. I’m just a diehard fan of the Cebuano culture. What impresses me the whole time is how we uniquely celebrate the festivity. I think I relish more on the spirit of the occasion by just being an observer than a participant.  

First off, the feast of the Child Jesus is one that is closest to the hearts of true blue Sugbuanons. This is the only time of year when Cebuanos abroad save a lot of money in order to come back and celebrate the festivity with their loved ones.

And for those who cannot make it here, they celebrate it elsewhere. I just also found out on Facebook that we have a Sinulog in Hong Kong, the United States and Australia. This is something truly like no other – a celebration only a “Bisdak” (Bisayang Dako) would understand and appreciate by heart. It only proves our constant devotion and undying faith of the Cebuanos to the Santo Niño even from far away. 

Secondly, in a country like ours, people anticipate festivities by saying their novenas for the next nine days. They either go to church or to hold it in their “kapilya” or chapel. What makes it so different here is that Cebuanos also do it at home as part of their “panaad” or vow. And to top it all, this is the time of year where you get to see the young and the young at heart spend long hours together to practice their dance steps in time for the big day. But that’s not all. Where can you find a celebration where you find people putting up their giant speakers on the streets or in their stores and play songs for the Santo Niño? Where else, but in Cebu!

In spite of the rapid urbanization that have estranged the Cebuanos from knowing his neighbors next corner, there is one thing that we can count on to remind us that we all come from the same roots – our faith.

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I think I wrote about this a long time ago. And I think it’s worth writing about it again because we’re forgetting the true essence of the celebration. In fact, the reason why I have to write it again is because I just heard from a radio DJ that every third Sunday of January is the “feast of the Sinulog.” I think this is one of the most common mistakes any Cebuano can commit when commercialism invades a solemn occasion.  

For those who do not know, the Sinulog is the Mardi Gras or the street dancing cum competition popularized by the City Government. The Sinulog, originally, is a dance step which you commonly see at the Basilica del Santo Niño. It is in other words, one form of prayer and praise offered to the Santo Niño.    

I have to agree that we have to separate the fanfare from the solemnity because the Sinulog is a celebration of faith not a celebration of partying and commercialization. 

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I would like to take this occasion to say Pit Senyor to all my friends and relatives from all over the world! And this prayer is for all of you:

Bato Balani sa Gugma sa Daang Taong Palangga

Kanamo malouy ka unta nga Kanimo nangilaba

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