The Cebu lechon has been one of the most sought-after roasted pig in the country. It is so popular that a previous president used to have it flown to the capital just for him and his friends. But there is much more to the Cebu lechon than meets the eye. Here are some fun facts that you may want to know about the Cebu lechon that many longtime residents of the island already know.

No Sauce Needed

One thing Cebuanos always say when they eat lechon is that when it needs some sort of sauce to enhance the flavor, it is not Cebu lechon. Cebu lechon is known to be exceptionally tasty. It does not need anything to enhance its flavor. This is mainly due to the special spices added to it before it is cooked. While these spices may vary from one lechon maker to another, they all add to the flavor of the Cebu lechon to make it the best in the archipelago.

Special Spices

The special spices added into the Cebu lechon while it is prepared are the secret ingredients to make it the best in the country. Some of these ingredients include lemongrass, a local banana variety known as the saba, garlic cloves, onions, black pepper, and salt. Lechon makers also have their own secret ingredients to add a unique flavor to their lechon. These spices merge to give the Cebu lechon its sinfully-delicious flavor. 

Lechon Restaurants

Since the Cebu lechon is known to be the best in the country, it is not surprising to find a number of lechon restaurants in and around Metro Cebu. The most popular lechon restaurants include Rico’s Lechon, CNT Lechon, Ayer’s Lechon, Zubuchon, House of Lechon, and Alejo’s Lechon. There are many other smaller no-frills places offering lechon, like Auring’s Lechon, where you can eat lechon.

Lechon Belly

The lechon belly or boneless lechon is one of the innovations in the Cebu lechon. Instead of buying the whole lechon, you only get the meaty part of the lechon. The belly of the pig is deboned before adding special ingredients to make it flavorful.  The boneless lechon is cooked in the same way a regular Cebu lechon is cooked. While a number of lechon restaurants have started to offer boneless lechon, there are some places specializing in the boneless lechon. These places include Tatang’s Extra Crispy Boneless Lechon and Cebu’s Original Boneless Lechon. 

Best Lechon in Cebu

​Even as the Cebu lechon is considered as the best roasted suckling pig in the country, there are some places on the island claiming to offer the best Cebu lechon. Some Cebuanos say the best lechon can be found in Talisay City while others say the best ones are offered in Carcar City. Whichever the place, everyone is in agreement that the Cebu lechon is the best in the country, if not, the world.

A date on Valentine’s Day does not always mean you have to splurge in order to make it romantic. While eating out on the day of hearts may be a nice, but a tight budget does not mean you cannot spend quality time with your loved one. Here are some places where you can have a romantic evening without having to spend too much.

Walk in the Park

Cebu may not have as many parks as the capital, but there are some places that have gone through a facelift to make them a good place to visit during Valentine’s Day. One of the places these places is Plaza Independencia. In the past, the park was a haven for bad elements before the city government decided to restore it and make it safer for residents and visitors. You do not have to spend anything other than fare to spend some quality time with your loved one at the park. You may also want to bring some food and have a small picnic at the park while enjoying each other’s company.

Date with History

Couples who love history and culture may want to visit some of the museums and cultural sites in the Queen City of the South. While you may have to pay for the entrance fee for these museums, it will be minimal. You can also take a one-day tour of some of the tourist spots in Cebu starting from Fort San Pedro and gradually work your way to Casa Gorordo. 

SRP Beach Side

If you have a vehicle, you may want to drive to the South Road Properties and spend the day at the SRP beach side. You can sit on the benches and simply hang out amid the cool sea breeze. The waves also have a calming effect, which makes it conducive to talk about life or anything under the sun. 

Getting Physical at Mount Babag

For adventure lovers, hiking up Mount Babag to the RCPI towers is a good way to spend some quality time together. Aside from exercising your muscles, you will also get the chance to motivate each other in attaining your goal of reaching the top, which is something couples should do to keep the love alive. You may also want to bring food and have a picnic on your way to the top.

Fun at the Mall

​The love month normally sees malls normally holding shows to entertain shoppers. These shows are typically free of charge, but you have to contend with a huge crowd waiting to see their idols live. If you don’t mind mixing up with the crowd to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two with your loved one, you can head on over to the nearest mall and watch them perform live.

Valentine’s Day does not always mean you have to make your wallet lighter just to have some quality time with your partner. All you need to do is to be creative and think out of the box. Simply look for something the two of you love to do, and plan the day well. What is important is that you spend time together on this special day of the year.

Flowers and chocolates are the most popular gifts you can give your loved one. But have you considered looking for an unconventional gift that may be practical or fun to use? We came up with a list of delicacies you can give for Valentine’s Day, this list will feature some out of the ordinary gift ideas you may want to give your special someone to make the day of hearts memorable. 

Flash Drives

Technology has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade. This growth resulted to an increasing volume of information we can use for everyday lives. Due to this, a flash drive is quite a practical gift for your loved one. It can be used to store information, be it movies, music, and other things your partner may need or want for everyday tasks. You may even find heart-shaped flash drives to make it more memorable for him or her. 

Power Bank

Another practical gift you can give is a power bank. While the latest smartphones have long standby time, you will never know when your battery will lose power due to heavy usage. This is especially true if your partner loves playing mobile games. These games typically use up a lot of juice in the smartphone. So, a power bank is a very practical gift to give on the day of hearts. 

Coupons

Coupons are very useful especially when you are tight on your budget. Aside from saving money, your loved one will also get to do fun things when the coupon becomes redeemable. You can compile the coupons and let your creativity work by putting them into a colorful folder and decorate it with stickers. 

Poetry on a Plate

If you are good in making poems, you may want to consider having your poems engraved into a plate. You can simply write the poem on a white plate. You can also have it engraved if you have the budget. This way each time your loved one has a meal at home, he or she will recall the day you gave the gift. 

Ukulele

A ukulele is another gift you may want to consider giving a ukulele. You may also want to include ukulele lessons so he or she will learn how to play this musical instrument. We will never know, your significant other will compose a song for you for the next Valentine’s Day.

Outdoor Survival Bracelet

If your loved one loves the outdoors, an outdoor survival bracelet is a practical gift to give. These survival bracelets are useful for outdoor and adventure activities. These five-in-one bracelets feature a paracord where you can find a compass, whistle, scraper, and a fire starter rod.

Passport Cover

​For people who travel out of the country often, a passport cover made of premium synthetic leather is a very useful gift. It protects their passport from wear and tear to ensure they do not have issues when they travel. You may even have it personalized by engraving the initials of your loved one on the cover.

Gone are the days when chocolates and flowers are the only gifts you should give your significant other. These are just some practical gifts you can give your special someone for Valentine’s Day. You can simply let your imagination fly when thinking of something to give on this special day of the year.

Many of the games Cebuano kids used to play required minimal equipment. While some of these games have to be played outside, there are others that can be played inside the house. There are also some games you can play just about anywhere as long as you have suitable space for it. The following are some games Cebuano kids used to play just about anywhere. 

Jolen/Jolin

Jolen or jolin is played using a small, round marble. There are a number of variations of this game, including something as simple as trying to hit the marble of your opponent or putting the jolen into holes line lined up on the ground. There is also a variation where you would need to hit some marbles out of a circle on the ground. The terms “jolerns” and “mamords” are typically used in this game.

Kaka

Decades ago, Cebuano kids used to carry around a matchbox without any matches in them. Instead, they contained spiders or kaka, which were used for one of the games they used to play. They even put partitions inside the matchbox to separate the spiders from each other. The game starts with two spiders placed on the opposite ends of a stick. The spiders are nudged to move to go along the length of the stick until they encounter each other. At this point, they would start fighting. 

Dakop-dakop

Dakop-dakop is the Cebuano version of the game of tag. While an open field is ideal for playing this game, a covered court can also be used as the playing field. The game requires at least three players since it would look ridiculous if the game is played by only two people. 

Kasing

Before the beyblade became a thing among Cebuanos, the kasing was king. The game required some skills since it is not easy to manipulate the kasing or top. Once you get the hang of it, you can do a lot more than just spinning the kasing. The kasing is typically made of either softwood or hardwood. 

Jackstones

Jackstones is actually a traditional game played by girls in Korea. It is played using a set of six or ten jacks or metal-pointed stars and a rubber ball. The game starts after jacks are thrown to the ground. One of the players will throw the ball upward and let it bounce once. The player has to collect a predetermined number of jacks before the ball bounces a second time.

​The games Cebuano kids used to play were simple and only required minimal playing materials. These games can be played rain or shine. They also encourage kids to use their imagination and creativity aside from allowing them to exercise their muscles while having fun.

A couple of days ago we featured five outdoor games Cebuano kids used to play. But, there are times when our parents would not allow us to go outside, especially when the sun sets over the horizon. To keep ourselves entertained, we used to play some indoor games that 

Dampa

Dampa was a simple game using lastiko or rubber bands. The object of the game is to move an odd number of rubber bands across a line from a pile of rubber bands. If the player moves an even number of rubber bands, his opponent will get the rubber bands. The players move the rubber bands by putting forming a small dome using both hands. They should hit the ground with their hands and move the rubber bands using the compressed air they produce.

Sungka

Sungka is one of the traditional Cebuano “board” games. It is played using a sungkaan and 49 game pieces. These game pieces are equally distributed in the holes of the sungkaan. The player who gets most of the pieces at the end of the game wins the game. 

Ace Trump Cards

Longtime Cebu residents are familiar with the trump cards. These were cards featured pictures of cars, aircraft, boats, tanks, or animals, among others. They also have some information and statistics of car, aircraft, or boat featured on the card. The object of the game is to read out a higher value basing on the information on the card. But, the Super Trump beat all cards with the exception of the “A” card.

Marco Polo

Marco Polo may be the new name for an iconic hotel overlooking the Queen City of the South. But, Marco Polo was once a game Cebuano kids used to play in the past. It is a variation of the game tag where the “it” would be blindfolded and “look” for the other players inside a room. He or she would shout “Marco” and the other players would respond “Polo.” During this time everyone else tries to position themselves away from the “it.” When the “it” shouts “stop,” everyone should stop in their tracks. Once the “it” locates another player, he or she would try to find out the name of the person by using his or her hands. If the “it” correctly guesses the person’s name, the person would become “it.” If not, the game starts again.

Pick (Jack-en-Poy)

This is the Filipino version of rock-paper-scissors. While Manila peeps call it jack-en-poy, it was simply known as “pick” in Cebu. Technically, it is not the game itself since people use it to pick who goes first in a game. It game is also used to pick sides in a game. But, it can also be played inside the house when your parents would not allow you to go out at night. It does need any special tools or equipment, just your hands. 

​Long before computers became a necessity in many homes of Cebuanos, kids used to play games that required them to use their imagination and creativity. Despite their simplicity, these games kept Cebuano kids entertained all day and night. And, of course, you may want to have a snack after all that playing. You can opt to munch on Peanut Browas, Butterscotch, or Toasted MIni Mamons.

What other indoor games did you use to play when you were a kid in Cebu?

Cebu has always held a special place in the heart of many Cebuanos who have established new roots in other places around the world. While many have not yet returned to the Queen City of the South, they still consider Cebu as their home. Let’s take a look at 6 more things you should know if you lived in Cebu.

Sammy’s Pochero House

Sammy’s Pochero House was an eatery located close to Fuente Osmeña. It was one of the favorite go-to places of Cebuanos who after a night of fun during the weekend. They would normally order their pochero and pair it with puso or hanging rice. For on a budget, they would order puso and soup from the pochero. 

Sinulog Grand Parade at Reclamation Area

These days, the Sinulog Grand Parade passes through General Maxilom Avenue, Fuente Osmeña, and Osmeña Boulevard. In the past, there were instances when it was held in the North Reclamation Area where SM City, old White Gold, and present-day Robinsons’ Galleria are located. 

Mom’s Pizza

Shakey’s, Pizza Hut, Yellow Cab, and Alberto’s were nothing compared to Mom’s Pizza, which had stalls all over the city. These stalls sold cheap yet filling pizza in schools around the Queen City of the South. They offered a basic pizza with tomato sauce, meat, cheese, and other basic ingredients. 

Cebu Central Colleges

The University of Cebu was once known as the Cebu Central Colleges (CCC) and was the first educational institution in Cebu to offer the course Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science. When it was established by Atty. Augusto W.Go, it was called Cebu College of Commerce.

Sen Hiap Hing Department Store

Long before Robinsons, SM, and Ayala opened their doors to the market in Cebu, there was Sen Hiap Hing Department Store.  Sen Hiap Hing was considered one of the premier places to shop in the past. People would flock to the place to buy just about anything. 

Narada Boutique

​Narada Boutique was also one of the places where Cebuanos would go to buy things that were not offered in many of the department stores in Cebu. These items include shirts, caps, and other similar merchandise. There were also instances when you could find creeper shoes sold at Narada Boutique.

Even as Cebu has changed in the last few decades, it is still important to look back during the time when life was simpler. 

The Cebuano language is rather interesting with its quirks and idiosyncrasies. There are many terms and expressions that can be used in many different ways. Here are ten common Cebuano expressions.

Sikreto para bibo

When someone is interested about something you know and you want to fuel that person’s curiosity. This phrase is normally used when you are talking to someone who is very curious about what you know, but you want to keep the secret just to get his or her goat.

“Sikreto para bibo” 

 “I’ll keep it secret to make it more fun.”

Choya

“Choya” is derived from the word “choy,” which refers to a man who looks handsome, dresses well, or is generally a good-looking person. The term “choya” is used to describe a guy who does something awesome that other people would look up to him.

“Choya aning bat-ana uy”

“This guy is awesome.”

Laysho

The term “laysho” came from the English word “social.” This term refers to something fancy and is typically used to describe a person, place, or thing.

“Laysho kayo ilang balay.”

“They have a very fancy house.”

Hulmigason

The term “Hulmigason” is typically used to describe a sweet couple. It is derived from the term ”hulmigas,” which means ant. Hulmigason essentially means being overrun by ants, which is associated with a couple being too sweet that they might be overrun by ants.

“Ka-sweet ninyo, hulmigason nya mo diha.”

“You guys are so sweet you might get overrun by ants.”

Puhon

“Puhon” means God-willing or hopefully. This expression is said when you are hoping something will happen in the future.

“Magkita ta ugma, puhon”

“Hopefully, we will see each other tomorrow.”

Simbako

“Simbako” is the antonym for “puhon.” It is translated to “God forbid” or “knock on wood.” It is typically used when you are hoping nothing bad will happen in the future.

“Simbako unsay mahitabo ugma.”

“God forbid something will happen tomorrow.”

Pakals

“Pakals” simply means “chow” or “a feast.” Cebuanos use the term to when they are about to chow down food. It is also used to describe the feast itself.

“Pakals na”

“Time for the feast.”

Patagad

Longtime residents of Cebu would remember the phrase “patagad.” It is used to describe someone who is seeking attention. It is derived from the word “tagad,” which means attention.

“Patagad ka?”

“Do you want some attention?”

Ay Ambot!

The term “ay ambot” can be used for a lot of situations for a Cebuano. Literally it means a person has no idea, but it can also be used in a lot of expressions. Some of the translations of the term “ay ambot” include “I have no idea,” “I don’t care anymore,” “it does not matter,” and “I’m tired of that already.”

“Ay ambot nimo!”

“I’m tired of you already!”
​
Kuan

“Kuan” has become a universal word for just about anything. It can be a noun or a verb. In fact, it can be used numerous times in a Cebuano sentence and still make sense to some Cebuanos.

“Kadtong kuan ba, nag-kuan si kuan didto sa kuan adtong kuan.” 

 “That thing, somebody did something somewhere sometime.”

Learning to speak Cebuano is relatively easy, but using the expressions properly may take a lot of getting used to.

Cebu has a lot to offer to both local and foreign visitors. The place has something for everybody. Good food, heritage sites, natural wonders, and unique experiences. The island has everything for everybody. We listed ten things you can do while you are in Cebu.

1. Eat

Cebu can be a culinary paradise for people willing to explore. Aside from the ubiquitous fast food restaurants, you can also find specialty restaurants catering to the different tastes of residents and visitors to the island. But, if you really want to experience Cebu, you should eat like a local. The first thing you should eat is the world-famous Cebu lechon. You can also visit Pungko-Pungko sa Fuente and eat like a Cebuano. The sutukil restaurants in Mactan and Cebu City are also must-visits for local and foreign tourists. Eating your way around Cebu will allow you to discover Cebu in a unique way. 

2. Take a Walking Tour of Cebu

The Queen City of the South has a rich heritage being the home of some of the oldest churches in the country. While many of these churches can be found outside the city, there are still a number of them in the city. In addition, there are some tourist spots within walking distance of each other. You can explore these heritage sites by going on a walking tour of Cebu. You can start at Fort San Pedro and end up at the Heritage Monument.

3. Bring Home a Pasalubong

While the Cebu lechon is the most famous delicacy of Cebu, there are a lot more food options the Queen City of the South can offer. You can bring home with you the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch. Just make sure you bring a lot because you might find yourself munching on these delectable pasalubong items while at the airport.

4. Visit Taboan Market

The danggit is another favorite pasalubong item, and you can find the best ones at the Taboan Market. The Taboan Market is located in Pahina Central and has numerous stalls selling different types of dried seafood. The prices at the market are also quite reasonable. The place was even featured on “No Reservations” of Anthony Bourdain. So, a visit to the Taboan Market should be in the things you should do when you visit Cebu.

5. Take a Dip in the Beaches of Cebu

A visit to Cebu is never complete if you have not taken a dip in its beaches. The beaches of Cebu have been considered as among the best in the world. While there are many beaches located on Mactan Island, you can take a road trip and visit the beaches in other parts of the island. You can go to Bantayan Island or Camotes. But, if you are not keen on taking a boat to these islands, you can also visit Maravilla Beach in Tabuelan.

6. Ride a Habal-habal

While a government agency stopped a motorcycle-hailing app company from continuing its operations, a local official has allowed the habal-habal or motorcycles for hire to operate in the city. It is the main mode of transportation in many of the mountain barangays in Cebu. In fact, there are some tourist spots in the mountains of Cebu where the habal-habal is the most affordable mode of transportation. But, you should always make sure to put safety in the driver’s seat, so to say, if you want to try this mode of transportation. 

7. Join a Fun Run

The healthy bug has bitten a lot of people in Cebu. There are fun runs all over the place. In the past few years, there were fun runs organized each month. If you feel you are fit enough, you can join these fun runs. There are some runners who put the fun in these fun runs by wearing costumes while they run. If you are brave enough, you may want to wear a costume as well. We never know, you might even go viral, in a good way, of course.

8. Cross the Two Bridges between Mactan and Cebu

In the past, the only way to cross the Mactan Channel between Cebu and Mactan Island was through boats. This changed after the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge was built in 1970. The bridge served countless Cebuanos and visitors to Cebu for decades. The second Mactan-Mandaue Bridge or the Marcelo Fernan Bridge was opened in 1999 to cater to the increasing traffic between the two islands. You may want to cross these two bridges when you are in Cebu. Since these the traffic on these bridges is slow-moving during the day, you may want to cross them at night when there are lesser vehicles plying the roads.

9. Swim with the Whale Sharks

Another activity you should not miss doing is swimming with the butandings or whale sharks in Oslob. This has become a major tourist activity in this southern Cebu town. If you plan to swim with the butandings, you should go to Oslob early in the morning since the activity ends at 12:00 noon of each day.

10. Walk along Colon Street

Colon Street is the oldest street in the country. It has been and continues to be the center of commerce in the city. You can find just about anything being sold in stalls along Colon Street. You may want to walk the whole stretch of Colon. If you are lucky, you may find what you have been looking for while exploring the street. But, always be vigilant of your surroundings when you explore the area. 

​These are just ten things you might want to do while you are in Cebu. Just remember to always bring a pack of Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, or Butterscotch to stave off the pangs of hunger while you explore Cebu.

The holiday celebration in the Queen City of the South does not end on January 1. It continues to the annual Sinulog Festival. The festival culminates in a grand parade on the third Sunday of January. While many people may think the Sinulog is just an event where you can simply have fun in Cebu, there is actually a lot more about the Sinulog Festival than the revelry one might see in the streets.

We came up with some facts you may want to know about the Sinulog Festival of Cebu.

1. Sinulog is based on a Cebuano word 

The term Sinulog is based on the Cebuano word “sulog,” which means water current. The water current refers to is the water in the Pahina River. The dance steps moved to the sound of the drums. It also refers to the Cebuano word “saulog,” which means to celebrate. 

2. The adviser of Rajah Humabon performed the first Sinulog dance

According to stories, the Santo Nino healed a close adviser of Rajah Humabon after he got sick. To show his gratitude for the miracle, Baladhay supposedly danced for joy. The dance steps used by the adviser of the rajah saw him moving back and forth with his hands raised praising God. The movement resembled the current of water or “sulog” in Cebuano. Some historians say the dance was already performed by the natives before the arrival of Magellan. After they converted to Christianity, the dance was dedicated to the Santo Nino.

3. The image of the Santo Nino is a gift to Rajah Humabon and Hara Amihan 

Ferdinand Magellan landed on the shores of Cebu on April 7, 1521. He was able to convert Rajah Humabon and Hara Amihan along with their followers into Christianity. Magellan gave the image of the Santo Nino as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan. The image was thought to have been lost after Lapu-Lapu defeated Magellan in the Battle of Mactan. But, it was discovered by the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi arrived in Cebu. The image is now housed at the Basilica Menore de Santo Niño. 

4. Santo Nino de Cebu is the oldest Christian religious relic in the country

The Santo Nino de Cebu was brought to the Philippines by Magellan as a gift to Rajah Humabon and his wife for their baptism. Since it arrived in Cebu on April 7, 1521, it is considered as the oldest Christian religious relic in the whole country. It is stored inside a bulletproof glass box at the Basilica Menore de Santo Niño.

5. There are other festivals in the country honoring the Santo Nino

The Sinulog Festival is just one of a number of festivals around the country honoring the Santo Nino. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan and Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo are two of the festivals honoring the Holy Child. The Ati-Atihan is celebrated on the same day as the Sinulog, the third Sunday of January, while the Dinagyang Festival is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of January.

6. The first time the Sinulog parade was held was in 1980

The Sinulog parade was the brainchild of former Ministry of Sports and Youth Development regional director David Odilao, Jr. This parade was held at the Plaza Independencia with seven contingents coming from different colleges in Cebu. But, there were also some historical accounts that the Santo Nino was first paraded in 1865 when the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in the island. 

7. The Sinulog Festival is the grandest festival in the country

The Sinulog Festival is considered the grandest festival in the Philippines. The grand parade was likened to the Mardi Gras of Brazil. Recent years saw the crowd watching the grand parade increasing. Some reports reveal that around a million people from different parts of the world come to Cebu to watch the Sinulog Grand Parade.

8. The expression “Viva Pit Senyor” has a significant meaning

The word “viva” is a Spanish word that means long live while the word “pit” is shortened version of the Cebuano word “sangpit,” which means to call. The word “senyor” refers to the Santo Nino or the Holy Child. So, when someone says Viva Pit Senyor during the festivities, it means “Long live, call on the Holy Child Jesus.” These three words show the zeal and deep devotion of the Santo Nino devotees.

9. The Sinulog Cost of Arms is based on a European Coat of Arms

When the Sinulog Festival was first organized, the committee overseeing the event thought of coming up with a coat of arms to identify the event. The committee did not use the image of the Santo Nino since it was considered sacrilegious. The coat of arms consists of a two-headed hawk, which is similar to the coat of arms of the House of Habsburg. They ruled much of the known world between the 15th and 20th century. The same coat of arms was also found on the banners of Magellan when he arrived in Cebu. 

10. A million devotees attend the Solemn Procession

The solemn procession precedes the Sinulog Grand Parade. The procession starts and ends at the Basilica Menore de Santo Niño. It passes through major streets in the city. Local officials have noted that the number of devotees joining the solemn procession increases every year. In 2016, authorities said around two million people joined the solemn procession in honor of the Santo Nino de Cebu. There were even instances in the past when the front of the procession would get to return to the basilica even as the tail-end has yet to leave the place. 

​The Sinulog Festival is the biggest cultural celebration in Cebu. It has placed the island on the tourism world map as people from all over the world come to Cebu just to have the chance to experience the event. 

​The Sinulog Festival is the biggest festival in the country. The Sinulog Grand Parade is the highlight of the festival, which is celebrated in January of every year. While most of the contingents of the grand parade are college students and some young professionals, elementary and high school students are also given the opportunity to show their devotion to the Sto. Niño. They are given this chance through the Sinulog sa Barangay,

Sinulog sa Kabataan

Before the Sinulog sa Barangay became one of the activities of the Sinulog Festival, there was the Sinulog sa Kabataan. This was a school-based event where students from different public schools in Cebu were given the chance to dance for the Sto. Niño. But, this event was canceled since preparations for the event disrupted classes since the students who participated in the event would stay after school to practice. The practices would disturb night classes in the schools. Another reason for the cancellation was the expenses the schools incurred in preparing for the event. But, the event was replaced with the community-based Sinulog sa Barangay.

Sinulog sa Barangay

The Sinulog Festival in 2017 marked the first time the Sinulog sa Barangay was held. A number of barangays in Cebu City joined the event, including Barangay Labangon, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, and Barangay Guadalupe, among others. The event also served as a test run for the Sinulog Grand Parade. While rain was noted during the first Sinulog sa Barangay, the organizers considered the event a success. All barangays that participated in the Sinulog sa Barangay were asked to join the grand parade. 

Winners of the Sinulog sa Barangay

Lumad Basakanon won the street dancing category of the Sinulog sa Barangay while Banay Labangon came in second place. The ritual showdown category saw the two barangays changing paces with Banay Labangon coming in first and Lumad Basakanon placing second. Banay Labangon also won in the musicality category of the event while Lumad Basakanon won the best in costume. 

​While adults have the chance to show their love for the Sto. Niño through the Sinulog Grand Parade, the Sinulog sa Barangay focuses on the young ones. The event gives them the same opportunity to show their devotion to the Holy Child through dance. 

​Have you watched the Sinulog sa Barangay already? Tell us about the experience on the comments section below.