- Jan 4, 2017
- 7 min read

Experiencing Sinulog like a Local

Being face painted (either by a professional face painter or by yourself) has always been part of tradition.

Sinulog, a festival that happens on every third Sunday of January in Cebu City is one of the biggest cultural and religious street events in the Philippines. This huge event that makes the whole city stop is a ritual to the miraculous image of the Child Jesus, locally known as Santo Niño.

Sinulog is a colorful, joyful and high energy event which will definitely be a memorable experience. If you plan to visit Sinulog this year, its advisable to book your flights and accommodation early or days before the big event as prices skyrocket.

Joining in the street dancing.

Being a fellow Cebuana and a devoted Sinulog attender, I have shared a few tips to help you experience Sinulog like a local.

What To Do

During Sinulog, there are several events that happen days before the big street festival. There are concerts, bazaars, dance competitions, coronation night of the Sinulog Festival Queen, special church masses, and fluvial procession of the Miraculous Image of the Sto. Niño. There’s so much to do and so much to see. Below is a short list of activities you can go to during Sinulog.

The street dances continue amidst the big crowds of locals and tourists.

SINULOG WEEK ACTIVITIES

January 10, 2019 (Thursday) – Walk with Jesus, Opening Salvo

3:30AM – Assembly at Fuente Osmeña (Fuente Osmeña – Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño)
4:00AM – Start of walk from Fuente Osmeña to Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño
5:30AM – Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2019
3:00PM – Sinulog Trade Fair at SM City Cebu by DTI
7:00PM – GMA-7 / DYSS Variety Show at Plaza Independencia

January 11, 2019 (Friday) – Sinulog 2019 Kick Off

2:30PM – Solemn Mass at Basilica Del Santo Niño – Opening Salvo Sinulog 2019
3:30PM – Assembly time for the Sinulog 2019 Launching Parade (Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center)
5:00PM – Sinulog 2019 Grand Launching at Cebu City Sports Center
7:00PM – Opening: Sugbuanong Musika at Fuente Osmeña Circle | Sinulog Idol Launching at Plaza Independencia
8:30PM – PNP Combo @ Fuente Osmeña Circle

January 12, 2019 (Saturday) – Sinulog sa Lalawigan

1:00PM – Parade of Participants (Capitol Grounds to Cebu City Sports Center)
2:00PM – Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan at Cebu City Sports Center
6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by Department of Education – Cebu Province
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sugbuanong Musika Elimination at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol Elimination Day 1 at Plaza Independencia
8:30PM – Hiphop Dance Competition with Variety Show at Plaza Independencia

January 13, 2019 (Sunday) – Sinulog sa Barangay

10:00AM – Parade of Participants (Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center)
1:00PM – Sinulog sa Barangay at Cebu City Sports Center
6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by UV & Mandaue City Science High School
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sugbuanong Musika Elimination at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol Elimination Day 2 at Plaza Independencia
8:30PM – PAL Night Concert at Plaza Independencia

January 14, 2019 (Monday)

6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by USPF & CIT University
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sugbuanong Musika Elimination at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol Elimination Day 3 at Plaza Independencia
8:30PM – CCTN Night at Plaza Independencia

January 15, 2019 (Tuesday)

6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by CTU Danao & USJR
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sugbuanong Musika Elimination at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol Elimination Day 4 at Plaza Independencia

January 16, 2019 (Wednesday)

6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by DepEd Cebu City & UC
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog 2019 Festival Queen: Presentation of Candidates at SM Seaside City Cebu
7:00PM – Sugbuanong Musika Elimination at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol Elimination Day 4 at Plaza Independencia
8:30PM – Cignal Night at Plaza Independencia

January 17, 2019 (Thursday)

5:00PM – Sinulog Festival Queen 2019: Runway Competition at SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium
6:00PM – Balik Cebu Dinner at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu
6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by USC & SIT
6:30PM – Variety Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Sinulog Idol 2019 Grand Finals at Fuente Osmeña Circle
8:30PM – SMB Night at Fuente Osmeña Circle
8:30PM – SKY Night at Plaza Independencia

January 18, 2019 (Friday)

4:00AM – Walk with Mary (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church – Fuente Osmeña – Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño)
7:00AM – Translacion. Walk with Mary. Cebu City to National Shrine of St. Joseph Mandaue.
4:00PM – Opening of Devotee City at Companya Maritima
5:00PM – Sinulog 2019 Festival Queen Coronation Night at Cebu City Sports Center
6:00PM – Cultural Show at Fuente Osmeña Circle by Mandaue City School for the Arts
8:30PM – Coke Studio Night at Fuente Osmeña Circle
8:30PM – SUN Night at Plaza Independencia

January 19, 2019 (Saturday)

2:00AM – Mass at National Shrine of St. Joseph
3:00AM – Mandaue-Lapu-Lapu Traslacion
6:00AM – Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Santo Niño (NAVFORCEN Lapu-Lapu to Pier 1)
9:00AM – Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana & Rajah Humabon at Basilica Del Santo Niño
1:00PM – Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Santo Niño
6:00PM – Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival (Korean Cultural Dance) at Fuente Osmeña Circle
7:00PM – Battle of the Best Pyro Competition (Fireworks Display) at SM City Cebu
8:30PM – Sugbuanong Musika Grand Finals at Fuente Osmeña Circle
8:30PM – IPI Night at Plaza Independencia

January 20, 2019 (Sunday) – Sinulog Grand Parade

4:00AM – Mañanita Mass at Basilica Del Santo Niño
6:00AM – Pontifical Mass at Basilica Del Santo Niño
6:30AM – Holy Mass at Cebu City Sports Center
9:00AM – Sinulog 2019 Grand Parade Kick Off at Cebu City Sports Center
5:00PM – Sinulog 2019 Grand Finale at Cebu City Sports Center
7:00PM – Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival (Korean Cultural Dance) at Plaza Independencia
7:00PM – Pyro Musical Show (Fireworks Display) at SM City Cebu
8:00PM – Extraordinary Pyro Magic in the Sky (Fireworks Display) at SM Seaside City Cebu
9:00PM – Festival of Lights – Grand Fireworks Display at Cebu Business Park

POST-SINULOG ACTIVITIES

January 21, 2019 (Monday) – Awarding Ceremonies, 1:00PM at Cebu City Sports Center
January 25, 2019 (Friday) – “HUBO Mass”, 4:00PM at Basilica Minore del Sto.Niño
January 28-29, 2019 – Judging Sinulog 2019 Short Film, Documentation and Music Video Contest
January 29, 2019 (Tuesday) – Judging Sinulog 2019 Photo Contest
February 2, 2019 (Saturday) – Awarding: Sinulog Photo Contest & Short Film Contest at SM Seaside City Cebu
February 2-11, 2019 – Photo Exhibit of Sinulog 2019 Winning Photos at SM Seaside City Cebu

For a full list of the schedule of activities with their locations, visit this page.

What to prepare

January in Cebu is both rainy and very hot with activities starting early in the morning to late in the evening. Here is a nice graphic from Bookmundi that shows the average temperatures and average rainfall in the Philippines. Below is a list of things to wear or prepare to ensure that your Sinulog experience is enjoyable:

Bars and clubs are hectic during Sinulog. Re-known DJ’s are also invited to Cebu to play in different venues around the city.

Proper outfits: It may be to hot for a pair of jeans, but always dress appropriately especially if you plan to visit Cebu churches and join the mass. Knee shorts, cotton t-shirts and a sarong will work. There are a lot of Sinulog t-shirts being sold in the streets and malls. It could also be a souvenir shirt from the event.
Head gear: You can settle for the usual cap, but there are also Sinulog hats being sold all over the city which you can wear to feel festive. It’s important to have your face covered as it can get really hot, especially while walking down streets.
Bottled water: It’s easy to forget to hydrate, so always have a bottle of water around with you to avoid dehydration. There are ambulances found around the place, but it is better to be prepared rather than experiencing heat strokes.
Secure bag: Since it is one of the most crowded times in the city, theft also increases. I myself am a victim of a pickpocket during Sinulog, and lost all my photos which I took from my phone during the last event. Backpacks are not advisable as it is easy to have someone open it from behind. Best to have a side bag or one of the anti-theft bags. There are several anti-theft bags sold in Cebu. You can visit sports shops or department stores for them. For women, here’s a list of anti-theft bags that still look nice.
Lose change: Most street vendors will be selling small items, and they won’t have change for big bills. Always carry around loose change so you can buy more drinks while walking the streets or even snacks.
Protection: Aside from protecting your face with head gear, put sunscreen to avoid getting a bad sunburn. If you plan to join late masses or plan to walk the streets at night, protect yourself with mosquito repellants as there are mosquitos everywhere.

Rechargeable pack: If you have enough stamina, you may be out and about for the entire day. One thing many people regret is running out of battery in your mobile phone or camera. It’s always good to have spare batteries in your bag or a power bank. There are 20,000mAh power banks now available in the market, and they can charge your mobile phone more than 10 times.
First Aid Kit: Many tourists fall victims to food poisoning from the street food and tap water. Always prepare medicine in case it may happen to you. Band aids can also come in handy, especially if you get blisters from all the walking.
Water Resistent Camera: With a high chance of rain, it’s always better to have your gear protected so you can document your experience. Aside from the rain, there are instances where people shower you with water.
Snacks: If you are a tourist, it’s not advisable to eat street food as you may get a bad stomach. Always bring some snacks with you. Restaurants will be filled with people, and it could be difficult to walk back to your hotel every time you are hungry so it’s best to carry around nutritious snacks.
Comfortable Footwear: If you want to look like a local, a pair of flip-flops (slippers) can do the trick. But for some, its not enough feet protection for the long and hot walks. Wear a pair of walking shoes or comfortable sandals. Just expect your feet to be looking black at the end of the parade!