Preparing for the Sinulog Grand Parade

The Sinulog of Cebu is a very famous festival in the country.

The grand parade, which is held every third Sunday of January, coincides with the feast day of Señor Santo Niño.

This is the day when people from all walks of life gather along the city streets to witness festive street dancing participated in by at least 50 contingents from within the city, the province, as well as neighboring provinces and regions. The parade follows a 4.3 to 5.7 kilometer route which starts from the South Expressway to P. Del Rosario and Imus streets, taking a left turn to General Maxilom Avenue passing by Fuente Osmeña Boulevard then on to the Cebu City Sports Center where each contingent performs a five-minute stationary showdown.

Street dancing, otherwise known as processional parade, is carousel type. Meaning, contingents would start their street dancing from point of designation, following the cycle, and end at the same spot where they commenced. This takes around eight hours of non-stop street dancing, taking a break only at lunchtime.

  To be able to compete in the grand parade, a considerable budget is required to “survive.” Contingents must choose between joining the Sinulog-based category or the Free Interpretation category. They must also prepare dance routines for street dancing and stationary showdown.

Those who intend to join Sinulog-based category must have a Christian theme (rural or Maria Clara) adhering strictly to its basic steps and beat, while those for the Free Interpretation category follow a “no-holds barred” ethnic routine.

Street dancing is progressive. Thus, the smooth flow of the parade is ensured. Since this part of the competition basically consumes the whole day, contingents must be well prepared.

Here are some tips:

1. Participants

• Always require a medical certificate from a performer applicant before allowing him/her to join the group.

• Supply the necessary vitamins and food during the duration of your rehearsals.

• On the eve of the competition, make sure the performers get a good night’s sleep. Never tire them with last minute rehearsals.

• On the day of the competition, check on the performers’ well being before leaving your station. Make sure they had their breakfast.

• Always have a steady supply of potable water throughout the parade route. Eat lunch on time.

• Never give energy drinks to someone with an empty stomach.

• Always bring a first aid kit.

2.Costumes

• Check on costume materials and design. Under the heat of the sun, suede and velvet cloth are very hot to wear.

• Never allow performers to wear their civilian clothes under their costumes.

• Opt for durable footwear that could withstand heat or rain.

• Dance props such as hats, fans or veils can provide shade to the performer on the streets.

•  Props must be durable.

3. Choreography

• As street dancing is progressive, the performing group must be constantly moving forward to prevent congestion of the succeeding participants.

• If it is very necessary to include a stationary figure in your choreography to emphasize a point, make sure it is kept to a minimal and must be succeeded by a “compensatory” figure, which is usually moving forward.

• Utilize artistic patterns and formations rather than a dull straight-line choreography all throughout the parade route.

• Lines, choreographic patterns, formations and large props on display must be adaptable to existing street parameters since some streets are wide and some are narrow. It is advisable to rehearse your contingent under similar road conditions.

• Pay special attention to the choreography and angle of gesture (hands, head, upper trunk) since the audience and judges are located on either side of the streets.

• Maintain proper alignment and equal distance during performance.

• Since street dancing is non-stop, create fast and slow choreography movements. The slow ones provide “rest” and the fast provide climax to the dance routine.

• Ocular inspection of the parade route and judges’ station is very important. Brief your contingent regarding this matter.

4. Maintain discipline

• Be punctual at call time.

• Never loiter around while waiting for the parade to start.

• During street performance, do not allow performers to pull out anytime from the formation unless necessary especially in cases of emergency.

• Create a system when drinking water. Performers may take a break at water stations by twos. The water crew must refrain from approaching the performers especially during street performance.

• Performers must master manipulation of hand props so as not to drop it.

• Unless advised by the organizers to do so, resting along the parade route is discouraged.

• A very common misconception is that judges do not take notice of the performing contingent situated away from line of sight. On the contrary, they pay more attention to the performance while nearing or moving away rather than when the contingent is directly in front of them.

5. Musical accompaniment

• Unless indicated, provide for adequate number of instrumentalists so that performers at the far end of the line can hear the accompaniment.

• It is a plus factor to dress the instrumentalists with a similar contingent motif.

• Usually, the drum and bugle corps of each contingent is situated at the rear end of the line. To avoid musical confusion on the part of the lead group, maintain adequate distance from the preceding contingent.