CEBU, Philippines - A couple of days more and the streets of Cebu will be bursting with devotees and tourists whose numbers seem to triple every year to celebrate the feast of Señor Sto. Niño. Colorful buntings, tempting and cheerful radio ads and fun TV commercials make the wait almost unbearable. Every pair of feet seems to have a mind of its own as the rhythmic Sinulog music and signature drum beats bombard eager and excited ears.
If you’re among the hundreds of thousands who plan to flock to the Queen City of the South to join the throng of merrymakers this Sinulog weekend, which culminates with the grand street parade on January 20, here are a couple of foolproof tips that will make enjoying the festival more convenient and hassle-free.
Wear comfortable clothing. This means a shirt or baby tee, if you will, some racer-back or plain tank top for some maybe, and a trusty pair of lightweight shorts or soft jeans. Cotton or jersey sundresses may also be an option for the girls. Prowling the streets of Cebu trying to catch the parade means getting soaked—in your own sweat, the occasional rain showers that happen every year and if you’re lucky, some beer fun-loving street partygoers splash on passersby. So don something you will not be caught dead in but also don’t mind getting dirty or torn. During Sinulog, it is always about fashion and comfort.
Bring only a small bag. And make it a body bag or a shoulder bag that you can easily sling over your shoulders. This should hold all your essentials. A phone, a couple of bills and some loose change, a lip balm and wet tissues. A light bag will allow you to move more freely especially if you are bringing along one of those heavy-duty cameras to take wonderful pictures and memories.
Apply sunblock generously. SPF 70 if you must. The morning and afternoon sun can be unforgiving, and there’s no sense in fretting how roasted you’ll look like the next day. Yes, YOLO, so enjoy the moment, but never forget your skin’s best friend.
Scout a good parking lot a few days before the festivities. If you insist in bringing your own transportation while navigating Cebu’s streets during the parade, it is best to determine where you can park a few days ahead. It should be close enough to either a mall or the main parade route so you don’t have to walk very far in case you decide to hop to another area. But Sinulog is no fun if you don’t walk a hundred kilometers that Sunday, so ditch that SUV and just wing it.
Check out establishments that offer special packages. And we mean those establishments along the parade routes of Mango Avenue, Fuente Osmeña Circle and Jones Avenue. Some offer a whole-day package with free breakfast, lunch, and unlimited drinks with the best view of the parade. It’s safer, more convenient and friendlier to the stomach that seems to go on hunger overdrive during special occasions.
Choose the footwear you can walk and run in. Again, walking is synonymous to enjoying the Sinulog, so leave those painful flats and wedges and *gasp* high heels at home. Your best bet this festival season is the buttery-soft and lightweight Havaianas that you can walk and run in anytime, all the time. Wearing colorful prints? The Havaianas 2013 collection has solid-colored yet yummy-looking Top, Slim, and Top Metallic pairs that would go well with Aztec, tribal, or any other loud designs. If you’re rocking the simple white tee + jeans/shorts fashion, Havaianas has a wide range of designs to add contrast to your classic look from Disney Art to tropical, royal, fresh and animal prints to choose from. Havaianas’ recommended pick for the season? Havaianas Fun! An explosion of festive colors and designs will ensure a cool and fun time. Cannot live in flats? Stand up and Stand tall in the full heel Havaianas High Fashion or mid-heel High Light, elevated pairs that come in sand gray and black, giving you that height boost without sacrificing your feet’s sanity. True blue Havaianatico? Don’t stop there. Havaianas also has rainbow-colored iPhone and iPad cases to match your feet candy.
See all the latest designs and choose your Sinulog sole mate at All Flip Flops Ayala, SM City Cebu Northwing, SM City Consolacion, Rustan’s, Republik, Maribago Bluewater Resort, Abaca Boutique Resort, Walk in Shoppe at the Imperial Palace Lobby, R.O.X Ayala, LYM Virus Boutique, Paseo Saturnino branch, and Marco Polo Lobby Shop. The Havaianas Kids line is also available at Playpen at the Banilad Town Centre. For more information, check out www.havaianas.com . A. L. Amizade Marketing Inc. is the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in Central and Eastern Visayas.