SINULOG 2011: 3rd Sinulog Fireworks Competition

It's the day before the grand fiesta but the rain seems to be relentless since this morning. Despite of the flooded streets and heavy downpour, about two million devotees followed the afternoon solemn procession in downtown Cebu City.

Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

Novena Mass at the Basilica's Pilgrim Center

Indeed, not even the heaven's cries can dampen the spirit of Cebuanos and tourists who purposely came over to the Queen City of the South to witness the yearly Sinulog mardi gras. The celebration has to go on . . . rain or no rain!

The celebration, truely all fun and entertainment, can be found everywhere: at Fuente Osmena and Jones Avenue; Ayala Center Cebu, I.T. Park in Apas, Lahug; Park Mall in the North Reclamation Area; and SM City in Cebu.

Hunting for that fun and entertainment, we went to SM City for the mall's 3rd Sinulog Fireworks Competition. The pyrotechnics contest has become an annual event since 2009. Manufacturers and dealers of fireworks and firecrackers are the usual contenders in this show-off.  Now, the competition is considered to be among the highlights of the Sinulog revelry.

  

Eight participants showcased one by one their designed pyrotechnics at SM's Northwing.  They vied for the grand prize of almost $3,000.  

As expected, the flow of traffic is worse at SM's surrounding streets. We almost gave up, until, we decided to try our luck inside Radisson Blu, the hotel that's right beside the SM City.  In Radisson, we found more than just a parking area, we found a very strategic place to watch a live kaleidoscope on Cebu skies.

Radisson Blu Cebu's facade (top);
Feria -- Radisson's dining hall (below)

With the gorgeous fountain, the hotel's facade looks so great at night, and inside it, was very spacious and shiny. We did not know that many of the people inside the hotel were just there for a good view of the pyro spectacle.  

While many wait under the rain for a parking slot to become available, we were there at Radisson's back balcony overlooking Northwing, all too glad for a jackpot place.  It was simply the perfect spot to see the fireworks display!

--- Ireen ---

SINULOG 2011: Cebu City is Ready

January 16, 2011 is marked as the highlight of the Sinulog 2011 festival.  As previously reported in our January 7 blog piece, Viva Pit Señor, the Sinulog Grand Parade and Carousel and dance performances are all set to happen on January 16 along the streets of downtown city enroute to Cebu City Sports Center for the final performance.  

The streets have been beautified and portalets are all lined up -- the organizers have carefully laid all plans that there's nowhere to go but, Viva Pit Senor!

Sinulog fever on the streets

It's total hardwork for the different contingents that will be participating. You should have seen them practiced. With the captivating drum beats, they seem not to bother about being tired.  

The props, the drum and bugle, the performers

Outside the sports center, business is getting good. Covering the frontage of the whole block where the Andres Abellana High School is located, makeshift stores have lined up selling various items, from shoes and women accessories to house wears and "print-on-the-spot" Sinulog tee shirts.

Handmade earrings start at $0.23,
while necklaces at  $0.70

Sinulog shirts here are at $4.65 each

Items from bags and wallet to shoes and slippers
are available here

Shoes from Cebu's shoe capital -- Carcar

What a shame that I was not able to see the fluvial procession this morning (January 15, Philippine time).  It would have been great. Well, there's always the next time around, and on that next time, we promise to give you comprehensive stories and pictures about Sinulog.

Now that everything is set, we can only wish for, at least, a non-rainy day.

--- Ireen ---

SINULOG 2011: The Many Faces of the Holy Child

Various images of the Most Holy Child Jesus or the Sto. Nino are now on display at the Ayala Center Cebu in line with mall's celebration of the Sinulog Festival 2011. 

The exhibition of the Sto. Nino icons is an annual event organized by Ayala Center in cooperation with the various owners of the statues, one of whom is Msgr. Chris Garcia, who also led the blessing and opening of the exhibition on January 7, 2011.  

About 20 different replicas are shown today, but according to the organizers, there are others coming, and the public will be able to see a total of 60 statues.  Most of these icons are already family heirlooms of devotees who generously lent their images for such exhibit.

Apart from the exhibit, the Sinulog fever is very much felt at the Ayala Center: the Christmas decors were immediately replaced with the colorful Sinulog banners and ornaments; shops redesigned their windows to fit for the festivities, and, of course, discounts as high as 50% are the order of the sale day -- all in the name of the Sinulog fiesta. 

//rmism//