Gulf News journalists Irish Eden Belleza, Manuel Almaro, Jobannie Tabada and Atiq-Ur-Rehman bring you the latest updates on the Sinulog celebration in Dubai
Egyptian Tamer Radwan, General Manager of Tommy Lens Photography, is enjoying the Sinulog Festival. He said he liked the festival as it’s very organised and they chose Friday to show this as many people can come to watch the show. Im happy to watch the performers.
Patrick Garcia from Batangas City, who is working in Dubai as Audio Visual Technician at IMG World of Adventure is enjoying the show. He said this is his first time to watch this kind of festival. “I’m proud that we showcase the talents of Filipinos in Dubai. They’re world class performers!”
Pamela Ovano Magallon, president of United Cebuanos in the UAE."There are around 2,000 attendees in the Sinulog festival. There are five contingents and three performers of Halad (offer) to Sto Nino. I wasn’t expecting this to push through since it’s been moved three times due to unavailability of the venue and other unavoidable issues but we are so happy that so many people even from different nationalities are here to enjoy our culture. And this is a successful event so amazing! We have been running this Festival for 6 years now in the UAE," says she.
Maricar Cabanban, Festival Queen of Davaoeños UAE said: It’s my first time to join the Sinulog and I’m so excited because it’s promoting the culture of the Filipinos abroad.
Cheska , the first grand finalist for Idol singing completion. Judges include former X factor contestant Ivy Grace Paredes and popular International Filipino designer Furne One.
Grand parade draws crowd
An excited crowd of Filipino expatriates have gathered in Dubai's AHDAAF Sports Club in Al Quoz for the much awaited Sinulog grand parade, featuring dance groups from various emirates.
Participants and their respective lead dancers took the floor in their elaborate costumes to impress the crowd with their Sinulog dance tribute.
What Sinulog means to a Filipino expat
The Sinulog holds a multi-faceted meaning to Filipino expats in the UAE. What does Sinulog mean to them and what do they look forward to the most?
"Sinulog is a grand tribute to the vibrant Cebuano tradition and to the rich Filipino cultural heritage. It is already a part of who I was, of who I am today and of who will I be tomorrow," said Gypsy Premacio, the PRO of United Cebuanos, which has organised the event in UAE since 2013.
"Every year, I always look forward to that kind of colorful and collective collaboration of the whole Filipino community, not only in Cebu but also from the rest of the Philippines and the world. This kind of unity is what the Sinulog festival offers. Sinulog conveys an encouraging message that despite the odds, life remains inspiring and there is always something beautiful to look forward to as the day goes by," Premacio said.
What is Sinulog?
Sinulog is an annual festival in honour of the feast of the child Jesus known as Santo Nino. The festival is held in Cebu, Philippines every third Sunday of January and features a street parade of groups in elaborate costumes while doing the traditional Sinulog dance consisting of two steps forward and one step backward.
What is Sinulog in UAE?
Sinulog in the UAE started in 2013, featuring a small group of participants organised by UAE-based non-profit group United Cebuanos.
"We wanted to bring our culture and share it to all nationalities and fellow Filipinos. We are keeping our tradition though we are far from our Cebu," Sinulog sa UAE founder Wendell Tagimacruz Castro told Gulf News.
Origin of Sinulog
According to historians, Sinulog was already performed by Cebu natives before Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the island in 1521 to introduce Christianity. He gave a statue of Santo Nino to the king and queen of the island.
Since then the Sinulog had been a small ritual before the Santo Nino. Forty-four years later, when the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino was constructed to enshrine the Santo Nino statue, pilgrims and candle vendors made their dance tribute there. In 1980, the concept of a Sinulog festival started, with a parade of students dancing to the Sinulog beat around the church.
These days, Sinulog has become a celebration of culture and tradition, attracting more than a million people to the streets of Cebu City where grand street parades are held every January. Dance groups from Cebu and neighbouring provinces join the festival, donning elaborate costumes and dancing the distinct Sinulog steps.
