Watching the previous Sinulog performances on Youtube, it makes me realize that time passes by so fast. Its been 2 years since I have my first taste of Cebu’s grandest festival in honor of the Holy Child or Santo Nino de Cebu.
I think I already discussed a short history on how the Santo Nino de Cebu came here in our country so I won’t get deep with it in this post.
Since the Spanish colonial era, as some historical accounts would say, Filipinos, particularly Cebuanos and the Visayans, flock to Cebu City every year paying homage to the miraculous image that was given by Magellan to the rulers of Cebu almost five centuries ago. As if Cebu is somewhat like a Mecca for the devotees of the Santo Nino.
The image is enshrined in the Basilica, but before you reach it, try observing some people outside the church…and all of a sudden a woman with candles will approach you and say “Pa-Sinulog ka dong/day?” Yes amigos y amigas, these women are the original Sinulog dancers.
The Legend of the Miracle
I remembered one of my students projects was to interview a Sinulog dancer, a woman or a man perhaps and get what’s their life being a dancer outside the Basilica walls or Magellan’s Cross…so, how did this all started?
From what I’ve rememberd in elementary days, there was once an official of Rajah Humabon who got ill and was resting. The next day, he was cured from his sickness. Stunned by the amazing recovery, the chieftain asked his official why he was cured so fast. The official pointed the statue given by the Spaniards and was waking him up and dancing like that of a river…one step backward, two steps forward. And so the story spread like wildfire all throughout the islands.
Where was it coined?
The term Sinulog actually comes from the Cebuano word “sulog” meaning “like a water current.” It may be based on the currents of tides going in and out of Mactan Channel or the Guadalupe (Pahina) River. This is an ancient pagan ritual that was carried out with the introduction of Christianity to the islands upon the arrival of Don Quixote’s conquistadores.
The Festivities Began
It was not until 1980 when the Cebu City government realized the popularity of this religious event and the ritual that the Cebuanos do in front of the Basilica. From the ideas of then Regional Director for Sports David Odilao, it gained recognition from the influential Cebuano personages and the support of the City Government. By 1981, the first street dancing commenced.
Why Woman and Grace Dominate the Dance?
Remember who was the one who got enamoured by the image of Santo Nino that Magellan brought from Europe? It was the chieftain’s wife, Queen Juana. The queen is depicted to carry the image to those who are in sick and needy, one of the aspects of the Sinulog festivities in which the festival queen is given emphasis and at the same time in its choreography during the dance in the streets. It would be very rare to see male lead dancer carrying the Santo Nino.
One Step Backward, Two Steps Forward
I asked manang sinulog why she dances in front of the Basilica in her life. She replied, “Kay panaad na nako ni kay Senyor Santo Nino. Mao na akong paagi sa pasalamat sa iya nga mga gihatag sa ako nga kabuhi, mga blessings…”
I see that this is manang’s way to express her gratitude to the Lord for the blessings in her life. A devotee who would give time and believes that she can help people by praying in chant while waving the candles towards the Basilica and doing one step backward, two steps forward dance…or the Sinulog.
One step forward, as we see that our culture and our past is anchored. This shows our identity as what we Filipinos are. This can also be interpreted as how we humble ourselves in front of God or saviour.
Two steps forward, as we look into our past, we move on 2 steps ahead towards the future to be a better person or society. We progress. And at the same time, we could interpret this as we could be worthy of blessings and guidance from the Supreme Being himself.
The Sinulog ritual, although pagan-animistic in its origins which is syncronized with Christian Catholic beliefs, still manifests the mirror or image of one’s society. Like Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang which anchors itself in history, the dance of life like manang do, is all about unquestionable faith and enjoying life to the fullest, like a child being welcomed by the Messiah as believed in the Christian church, one that is the main reason why people celebrate the Feast of the Holy Child.
Mobalik na lang ko next year para sa Sinulog festivities diha. Motan-aw na lang ko sa live streaming karon through http://www.sinulogsasky.com
Pit Senyor Santo Nino!
_______________________________________
Picture from Sinulog 2007…well, its two years ago…I hope I’ll be there next year:
Recent Comments