CEBU, Philippines - Whoever associated the Sinulog grand parade to that of a mardi gras must never have really understood fully the significance of the event’s “merrymaking and festive mood.”
Let’s find out why, through these pieces of information: According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Mardi Gras (pronounced mar.de.gra) is the last day before the fasting season of Lent. It is the French name for Shrove Tuesday. Literally translated, the term means “fat Tuesday” and was so-called because it represented the last opportunity for merrymaking and “excessive indulgence in food and drink” (should I say gluttony?) before the solemn season of fasting.
In the cities of some Roman Catholic countries, the custom of holding carnivals for Mardi Gras has continued since the Middle Ages. The spectacular parades, masked balls, mock ceremonials, and street dancing, usually last for a week or more, before Mardi Gras irself. Some of the most celebrated are held in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Nice and Cologne.
In fact, full discussion of this subject is often related to carnival or circus merriment.
Does that happen during the Sinulog festivity then, for it to pass as a celebration by feasting, putting up carnivals and parades?
While there is a grain of truth that Sinulog festival is in a way of pagan character because it commemorates the Cebuano people’s pagan origin, it also remembers our acceptance of Roman Catholicism.
Wikipedia posts that it is a festival which features a street parade with participants in bright colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. It is done in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child).
The Grand Parade, though a lavish showcase of floats and dances, driven by the need to showcase culture and promote tourism, is still very much religious in nature.
By the way, this Child is no patron of Cebu. He cannot be patron, as he is already Baby Jesus, our Redeemer (niño in Spanish means baby or infant). A patron saint is regarded as an intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person.
It is believed that patron saints, because they have already transcended to the metaphysical, are able to intercede effectively for the needs of their special charges. (FREEMAN)