Sinulog 2018: Lead-up highlights

CEBU, Philippines — This year’s Sinulog celebration formally kicked off last January 12 with a launch parade from the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño to the Cebu City Sports Center. Contingents representing various schools in Metro Cebu participated in the opening salvo, which started with a mass at the Basilica.

In the days that followed two of the Sinulog festival’s anticipated highlights – the “Sinulog sa Kabatan sa Lalawigan” and the “Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Barangay” – took place.

The “Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan” had students representing various cities and municipalities in Cebu Province, while the “Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Barangay” had contingents representing various barangays in Cebu City. Held over the weekend, on January 13 and 14, the participants of the two Sinulog competitions performed on the streets and on-stage at the Cebu City Sports Center.

All three events had contingents wearing intricately detailed costumes crafted by Cebuano designers – most of which were contemporary treatments of traditional Filipiniana garb. There were also a number of nature-themed costumes of “under the sea” and “flora and fauna” themes.

Those lead-up events were indicators, if you will, on how visually exciting today’s  “Sinulog 2018 Grand Parade” would be.