Sinulog Festival
Sinulog Festival
4
About
On the third Saturday of January, the city of Cebu in the Philippines comes alive with celebration. Originally, the Sinology Festival was enacted to pay homage to Santo Niño, today, the festival has grown to be one of the major tourist draws of the Philippines. At the centre of this religious and cultural festival is a grand street parade. The parade can last from 9 to 12 hours and includes traditional dancers in brightly coloured costumes, floats, and live music.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
27 reviews
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9
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5
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Alejandro O
Sacramento, CA83 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Cebu comes alive as the Island approaches it's Sinulog Festival. Hotels and malls begin to play festival music, singers captivate audiences in the malls, especially at Ayala Mall.
On the morning of the parade, follow the crowds walking to the parade. Get to the parade early to find an open spot to watch and take pictures. As the day progresses the crowds get larger and more difficult to find a place to see the parade.
The Philippines has some of the nicest people, someone walking with their family was nice enough to point me in the right direction and explained the route and they were nice to let me walk with them. Unfortunately I had to stop to adjust my camera bag but the directions were easy to remember.
The one thing that people noticed was that I was at the event by myself. Several people asked me about it because most Americans are either in the Philippines for business or to visit a Filipina. I simply explained that I was on vacation to see the parade.
It was difficult for me but I made the best of the trip. Online scams are nothing new but one that I was not expecting was that I met a Filipina online who lives near Manila. After chatting for some time we made arrangements for me to visit her. After I made the expense to travel to the Philippines, get accommodations, and pay for the girls travel from Manila to Boracay and Cebu, she did bot meet me at all. She assured me of going and that she was interested. Right up to waiting for the flight, she never said that she wasn't going.
I discovered later that this deceptive tactic is used by some Filipinas on various Islands.
They caused financial loss through deception. I did write to file a complaint but travel to the Philippines is not cheap. And paying for airplane tickets for a person is a significant extra cost.
I made the best of my trip since the cost was nonrefundable but it's important to alert others of this type of scam.
The people of the Philippines are super wonderful and nice, there will always be some "bad apples" that cause negative views to their own people and country. It is not the norm but definitely a concern because a person will not realize of the deceptions until they have made the expense of traveling to the Philippines.
On the morning of the parade, follow the crowds walking to the parade. Get to the parade early to find an open spot to watch and take pictures. As the day progresses the crowds get larger and more difficult to find a place to see the parade.
The Philippines has some of the nicest people, someone walking with their family was nice enough to point me in the right direction and explained the route and they were nice to let me walk with them. Unfortunately I had to stop to adjust my camera bag but the directions were easy to remember.
The one thing that people noticed was that I was at the event by myself. Several people asked me about it because most Americans are either in the Philippines for business or to visit a Filipina. I simply explained that I was on vacation to see the parade.
It was difficult for me but I made the best of the trip. Online scams are nothing new but one that I was not expecting was that I met a Filipina online who lives near Manila. After chatting for some time we made arrangements for me to visit her. After I made the expense to travel to the Philippines, get accommodations, and pay for the girls travel from Manila to Boracay and Cebu, she did bot meet me at all. She assured me of going and that she was interested. Right up to waiting for the flight, she never said that she wasn't going.
I discovered later that this deceptive tactic is used by some Filipinas on various Islands.
They caused financial loss through deception. I did write to file a complaint but travel to the Philippines is not cheap. And paying for airplane tickets for a person is a significant extra cost.
I made the best of my trip since the cost was nonrefundable but it's important to alert others of this type of scam.
The people of the Philippines are super wonderful and nice, there will always be some "bad apples" that cause negative views to their own people and country. It is not the norm but definitely a concern because a person will not realize of the deceptions until they have made the expense of traveling to the Philippines.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilibeth V
Batangas City, Batangas City, Philippines60 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
The Sinulog Festival has been in existence for more than 400 years. It is celebrated every 3d Sunday of January and honors the Child Jesus or Santo Nino. Held in Cebu City, it begins with a Sto Nino procession on the Saturday before the event. Hundreds of thousands of people march solemnly to the Sto Nino Church carrying their Sto Nino icons. People from all over the Philippines and of all walks of life attend this. The original Santo Nino icon (allegedly brought over by Legazpi from Portugal) heads the parade.
The following day is the Street festival. Companies, TV and movie stars , schools participate with floats, dances while the Sinulog theme Viva Pit Señor plays on. prizes are given away and the crowd enjoys the very festive theme. After the parade a night long street party happens, but this year, the Mayor of Cebu City prohibited this event.
The parade, crowded with people jostling one another, was very safe. Police, the Army, Red Cross and DOH personnel were very visible. People were polite, and friendly. No street brawls here. A cell phone jammer was active the whole day (to prevent any bombs blowing up people by remote control).
For the not so adventurous- like us- we bought lunch tickets and watched most of the parade at Crowne Regency hotel.
Will I recommend this festival? YES!
The following day is the Street festival. Companies, TV and movie stars , schools participate with floats, dances while the Sinulog theme Viva Pit Señor plays on. prizes are given away and the crowd enjoys the very festive theme. After the parade a night long street party happens, but this year, the Mayor of Cebu City prohibited this event.
The parade, crowded with people jostling one another, was very safe. Police, the Army, Red Cross and DOH personnel were very visible. People were polite, and friendly. No street brawls here. A cell phone jammer was active the whole day (to prevent any bombs blowing up people by remote control).
For the not so adventurous- like us- we bought lunch tickets and watched most of the parade at Crowne Regency hotel.
Will I recommend this festival? YES!
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg48
Meriden, CT636 contributions
Jan 2019
I've been in Cebu several times and this past year timed my visit for the Sinulog Festival. From what I read I may have missed out on the most interesting part- seeing the dance groups in competition.
That said my hotel was located on the Parade Route and the atmosphere and excitement of participants was great to see. The Saturday religious side of the festival saw amazing crowds marching to the Cathedral. According the the local press 1.5 million participated in this and just being out along the parade route was an interesting experience.
The Sunday Float Parade ran all day, and as has been mentioned by others there were major gaps between the bands, and the floats leaving too much dead time. It also rained (obviously nothing the Festival can control) so I felt really lucky that my hotel room had a decent view of the festivities when it got too wet outside.
I'd consider going another year, but will definitely plan my stay a little better.
That said my hotel was located on the Parade Route and the atmosphere and excitement of participants was great to see. The Saturday religious side of the festival saw amazing crowds marching to the Cathedral. According the the local press 1.5 million participated in this and just being out along the parade route was an interesting experience.
The Sunday Float Parade ran all day, and as has been mentioned by others there were major gaps between the bands, and the floats leaving too much dead time. It also rained (obviously nothing the Festival can control) so I felt really lucky that my hotel room had a decent view of the festivities when it got too wet outside.
I'd consider going another year, but will definitely plan my stay a little better.
Written 1 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostinBohol
Concord, NH199 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This review addresses the Grand Parade only. It was my first time attending Sinulog and I was disappointed with the parade. I have been visiting the Philippines for 30 years, and was truly hoping that they had perfected a tradition which began almost 40 years ago. How they could screw up a parade which they’ve had so many years to fine tune bewilders me.
The biggest problem was there were huge gaps between groups of dancers, floats, etc. We waited several times in massive crowds for 30-40 minutes, with not one act or float passing us. On YouTube the parade looks fantastic. In reality it was extremely disorganized. I’m am shocked it was so bad.
It also seemed that the only thing Filipinos were there for was the celebrities passing by on the floats, as we were nearly crushed to death by heaving crowds rushing to see the celebrities.
We should have gone to see the dancers at the Abellana Sports Complex instead. It just wasn’t worth standing around and being pushed around by crowds to wait so long with nothing happening
The biggest problem was there were huge gaps between groups of dancers, floats, etc. We waited several times in massive crowds for 30-40 minutes, with not one act or float passing us. On YouTube the parade looks fantastic. In reality it was extremely disorganized. I’m am shocked it was so bad.
It also seemed that the only thing Filipinos were there for was the celebrities passing by on the floats, as we were nearly crushed to death by heaving crowds rushing to see the celebrities.
We should have gone to see the dancers at the Abellana Sports Complex instead. It just wasn’t worth standing around and being pushed around by crowds to wait so long with nothing happening
Written 28 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yvonne T
15 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
2019 Sinulog has fewer dancers and more advertising. If you come for this festival be ready for no cell phone signal for this weekend had most the tower is shot down for this festival.
What's happening on this parade why there is 20mins break between participants. So lame!
What's happening on this parade why there is 20mins break between participants. So lame!
Written 20 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan Filoteo
Cebu City, Philippines511 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
The Sinulog novena is also one of the highlights of the entire Sinulog Activities which runs from December to February. The Sinulog Novena starts 10 days before the celebration of the actual Sinulog Festival on the 3rd Sunday of February. The novena usually starts around 4am and the last mass ends at 8pm. With so many devotees attending mass Cebu becomes so traffic especially in the downtown area. Rain or shine expect a lot of people attending. Rains to deter the faithful.
Written 16 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darksoul67
88 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Sinulog is widely celebrated in cebu every 3rd Sunday of January. You can visit the sto. niño and attend mass. There's also a parade and street dancing. There's going to be a lot of people during the sinulog festival. You can also stay in one place or move around the fuente osmeña street but I tell you there's alot of people. Celebrating sinulog is always fun.
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChuckOfAllTrades
Goa, India1,821 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I went to the Sinulog Festival solo. I'm a non-partying sort, so the famed street parties held no attraction for me apart from sights and potential photography ops. I splurged on good seats at the stadium to watch the performances. For me, it was definitely worth it, I do know that most people might just prefer the street revelry and get sucked into the whole festive part of things, rather than just look at performances.
The stadium seating was comfortable, lunch was decent, the performances were mind-bogglingly good from a technical point of view, but like I said, could easily become repetitive (including the music) - but clearly the Cebu crowd loves this, so power to them and the show. The floats can get pretty quirky.
Everyone should experience this once, to see whether they're the sort that enjoys this sort of thing. I clearly am not a party sort so wouldn't do something like this again, that being said, I don't regret the time I invested for this, getting to see some good performances and a city drunk in its own festivity. Delightful to have been in the city while this happened.
The stadium seating was comfortable, lunch was decent, the performances were mind-bogglingly good from a technical point of view, but like I said, could easily become repetitive (including the music) - but clearly the Cebu crowd loves this, so power to them and the show. The floats can get pretty quirky.
Everyone should experience this once, to see whether they're the sort that enjoys this sort of thing. I clearly am not a party sort so wouldn't do something like this again, that being said, I don't regret the time I invested for this, getting to see some good performances and a city drunk in its own festivity. Delightful to have been in the city while this happened.
Written 13 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nathzniel
Cebu City, Philippines569 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Sinulog Festival is so far the biggest festival of the Philippines. Been witnessing this event for over 10 years already. Partying everywhere, traffic, fireworks display, mardigras parade, body painting, etc. There are lots of religious activities e.g. Novenas, fluvial parade, walk with Mary, etc.
Written 10 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingBob2016
San Francisco, CA35 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
This is a 2 week festival in January. It is so much fun. Tens of thousands of people come from the neighboring islands for this festival. There are laughing Filipinos everywhere. They love their religious holidays. Don't miss the ALL DAY Sinulog Parade. The days change each year but always in January. They also have great firework shows.
Written 3 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'd like to know more details,history about sinulog how it started and when?
Written 18 January 2018
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