Skip to main content

Sinulog: A Festivity of Hope

While most parts of the country have ended celebrations for the new year, Cebu is yet to start another grand festivity that highlights Cebuano faith and culture, the annual Sinulog Grand Fiesta. 

“Compared to the previous years, as what I have observed, more and more are coming this year to join in the mass celebration” Santo Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation Executive Director Fr. Tito Soquino said during the January 11 episode of Pagtuki the official radio program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). 

Fr. Soquino pointed out the huge number of devout Cebuanos joining in the daily novena masses that commenced last January 9.

“For me this kind of response from the devotees propelled after the tragedies—earthquake and super typhoon—did not spare Cebu from damages. People draw closer to God for renewal and transformation,” he said.

The magnitude 7.1 Bohol earthquake on October 15, 2013 heavily damaged the belfry of the centuries-old Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.  Fr. Soquino said reconstruction will take two years.


“Because of the damage, part of the Basilica is closed, which causes the overflow of devotees at the Pilgrim Center. But the priests already put up LED TVs at the Plaza Sugbo and along Osmeña (Blvd.) for the live streaming of the mass proceedings intended for those who can’t get inside the Pilgrim Center,” Fr. Soquino said.






The tragedy did not also stop contingents outside the Cebu province, such as the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, from participating in this year’s Sinulog.


“It has been part of the city’s all-year round activity to participate in the Sinulog in Cebu which we see as a good start of the year to thank and glorify Jesus for the blessings and at the same time promote the city through the talents of these kids,” Tangub City Vice Mayor Edemar Alota said.


Tangub City has joined the festivity since 1995 and has won in both the Free Interpretation and Sinulog Based categories for several years.


Meanwhile, as part of the Sinulog celebration, the Casa Gorordo Museum will still hold its traditional Sinug sa Casa Gorordo.


“Since the time RAFI acquired Casa Gorordo, it has been a tradition to hold Sinug sa Casa which happens a day after the Sinulog Grand Parade. However, after Nang Titang, the original keeper of the Sinulog beat and dance, died last year, her sinug will really be missed,” RAFI Culture and Heritage Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gerra said.


However, as part of the devotion of Nang Titang’s family to the child Jesus, her niece, along with other Sinulog dancers, will still perform the traditional sinug in her behalf.


“Sinug sa Casa has a story. It summarizes pre-Hispanic Cebu. It’s like moro-moro, as a friend calls it, which features the clash between Christians and Muslims. Sto. Niño comes in to bring peace and hope,” Dr. Gerra said.


Pagtuki is aired over DyLA every Saturday at 10-11am. The program, which is one of the Knowledge Sharing and Advocacy capabilities of RAFI, tackles timely and relevant issues on community development, politics and governance, micro-financing, education, environment, early childhood care and development and culture and heritage that affect the Cebuano community.


For more information about RAFI’s radio program, please contact Roxanne Catalan at 418-7234 loc. 540, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph, or follow RAFI on twitter, @rafiorgph.



I wrote this article while having my internship at Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Filipino Stores and Restaurants in Tokyo

For somebody who craves for Filipino food and snacks from time to time, here are the stores I frequent to. I can only share a limited perspective but solely based on my experiences. Read on! Filipino Stores 1. Asia Yaosho (Kabukicho, Shinjuku)  While they mostly have Filipino products, they also sell Thai goods. I think their prices are a little lower than the other Filipino stores I've tried. However, they have limited stocks and they often run out of items that I usually need, like Bearbrand. 😁 Credits: This photo is from this website .  2.  Ameyoko Center Underground Marekt (Ueno)   This market is heaven for Southeast Asians. They have a lot of varieties, dry goods, frozen meat, and even fresh seafood. There are also two Filipino stores in the area. They sell more items than Asia Yaosho but they are a bit pricey.  Credits: Photo is from this website. The market is underground. The entrance is on the side of this building at the center of this photo.  3....

Seven

Favor! As I was preparing to apply for this job, I felt that certain peace and assurance that this would go well. True enough, I got shortlisted for an interview. But it wasn't only an interview, there was also a written exam and a teaching demo. All happened in one day. Then the waiting starts. Two months to be exact. This position isn't always available. It's uncertain how many teachers the city would accept in a year. And a lot of us would want to get in. The perks and benefits that come along this direct employment are something foreign workers are longing to have. Then they called me and told me I was first on the waitlist. We were all put on the waitlist. I heard there were over a hundred applicants. Less than half got called for an interview. Then about twenty were considered for the position. But it was still uncertain how many of the twenty will successfully sign a contract. Another week passed when I finally received a mail. It was the contract package. Then they ...

But Before Summer

Today, I held back my tears as I was watching my student hitting his head while saying, 'Atama ga warui' which literally means 'My head is bad'. The more precise translation would be 'I'm stupid' or 'I'm dumb'. The students were using their school provided tablets to do some listening tasks and yet this particular student was just carelessly tapping the screen, opening random school apps. So I approached him and tried to help him navigate the school portal. And as soon as we could open his digital workbook, I left him so he could find the pages and the audio file on his own. I went around the class to help the other kids. But I would from time to time check on that student at a distance. Then not long, he started hitting his head again and repeatedly telling himself 'I'm dumb'. It was so painful to watch. But then suddenly one classmate sitting next to him stood up and helped him and another one followed. I was moved by such sight.  H...