Sinulog 2012: One Party Roadmap

CEBU, Philippines - When millions flock to our beloved city to celebrate the 32nd Sinulog Festival, we can’t help wonder how the island stays afloat in one week! Beautiful people festoon the streets that are splashed with color and dance to drum beats that are even audible even on the farthest nook in the city. What others don’t see is the moment when the lights get dim and Cebu City’s nightlife becomes entirely different after sunset.

Sinulog parties now carry a certain cache because these reverent series are trafficking in supremely over-the-top production and A-list crowds. There is always something extra exciting about parties that are hosted by celebrities, or the partymongers who dress extra daringly to rival last year’s outfit. Whatever it is that makes partying a tumultuous, energy-depleting job certainly has not experienced Sinulog in Cebu. 

The Coronation Night of Miss Cebu 2012 on Sinulog Wednesday signaled the start of this revelry as the city congratulated 21 year old disc jockey Pierre Anther G. Infante who brought home the coveted Miss Cebu crown. I sat next to Miss Janice Minor who gave out tiny gasps whenever her crown tilts on Miss Infante’s head. When the confetti and balloons fell to conclude Miss Cebu, let us all congratulate the Cebu City Tourism Commission for a job well done!

Sinulog weekend came and the city was swarthed in cars, tourists, sequins and face paint. Because there is this arcane tradition of partylocals to hop from one event to another, we started off  at Veranda Parkmall for Manila Light’s Acoustic by Request event that showcased bands like Pandora and Purple Helmets. We rendezvous next to The Loft, who thankfully opened its doors for Sinulog, and welcomed OPUS’ Bombi Balquierda and Manolet Dario and Republiq’s DJ Funk Avy, Nina and X Factor, at the Penthouse Cebu who gave us our party anthems that will last us for a year. 

We rushed to Luxx Vudu to catch the four-hit-combo as special guest Sarah Meier and hubby Banj Billions hosted Sinulog Saturday along with DJ Aryan and Dj Nix Damn P. Cebu’s favorite nightlife institution was fully packed with partymongers who also paid tribute to Arnel Genterone of Prive’ Luxury Club and Chewy of Republiq Club the night before. Vudu can truly give us the right amount of energy to pull an all-nighter on the dance floor! 

If it weren’t for PLDT’s Wifi Zone that made us read real time updates, we would have missed Rhipstop’s party at Baseline on Sinulog Sunday. When the streets cleared, the party concluded at the Ayala Terraces Cebu where Globe Tattoo hosted Sinulog Dance Party, the second installment to Globe Resist Party series in Cebu. Globe Tattoo brand ambassadors, bloggers and Cebu’s favorite party crowd packed a punch and resisted limitations together with Globe Tattoo ambassador Georgina Wilson. 

I’d wager if any of the seven continents has this much onslaught of human diarrhea! This will bring in a lot of pressure for Sinulog parties next year. Top that, Sinulog 2013!