Sinulog Festival

It was my first time to see Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Philippines. I never had any idea that I could come and watch this fabulous festival if I haven't been invited by a friend. On the day of the festival I was out as early as 5 o'clock in the morning to take  photos of the participants while they were still preparing and rehearsing their dance steps before the parade. I know I would have a hard time taking photographs of them during the parade, so I took advantage of the capturing them ahead of the said event!

 

Sinulog (pronounced as "See-noo-log") is an annual event held on the third week of January, it's one of the spectacular and grandest festival in the country. A novena is said for nine days before the Grand Sinulog Parade in honor of the miraculous child Infant Jesus. This event is frequently used as basis for most Sinulog dances, which dramatize the coming of the Spaniards and the presentation of the Santo Niño to the Queen. A popular theme among Sinulog dances is Queen Juana holding the Santo Niño in her arms and using it to bless her people who are often afflicted by sickness caused by demons and other evil spirits.

Participants in the said events wore elaborately adorned costumes as they danced to beat of gongs, trumpetsand drums with their customary Sinulog dance moves described as backward and forward movements which is correlated to water current movement wherein the word Sinulog was derived. Sulog (soo-log) in the Cebuano dialect means "water current movement"

Streets were filled up with people rushing to witness the event, food vendors were everywhere, street parties were held in every corner of the city, and photographers were all eager to take pictures of the participants wearing those elaborately adorned costumes.

 

It was one of the most unforgettable festivities I've ever been, the atmosphere was delightful with all those people smiling and dancing to the beat of the drums, gongs and trumpets while shouting "Viva Pit Senyor"!! A chant which means "Sangpit sa Senyor (Call to Senyor), referring to the Infant Child Jesus. 

The Quest To The Last Frontier 2

I'm back to blogging. I know I've neglected my blog for the past weeks, but anyway I'll continue my story about my travel in Palawan.

Honda Bay is the gateway to the different islands like the Pandan Island, Snake Island, Starfish Island, Dos Palmas, Luli Island and more. Our second day in Palawan was better because it wasn't raining hard anymore, although it's partly cloudy during the island hopping, the sea wasn't that rough at all and the sun cooperated as the ferry boat took us to our island destinations.

First stop is the Pandan Island, it is called Pandan Island because of the abundance of pandan trees in the area. The sand is powdery pinkish, not as white as the Boracay sands, but it doesn't matter, as long as the water is transparent, the scenery is panoramic, the difference wont be a big deal. Picnic huts are  around where visitors could stay and eat, snorkeling and fish feeding are...let's say the most unforgettable and thrilling experience I had in Palawan. And WOW! I was astounded by the large group of fish that followed me while I break the bread bit by bit, they swarmed the bread! There were striped black and green parrot fish here, striped blue and black parrot fish there, clown fish over there, a school of jackfish gliding underwater in circles!  The exhibit of colorful corals underneath matched well with the swaying of the green seaweeds. . . and it was a fantastic view under the sea!!
 

We ate lunch after the fish feeding and took a quick rest and off we went to Snake Island. The first time I heard of Snake Island I got scared, thinking that the island might be inhabited by snakes, but it is  because of it's serpent-like sandbar! We fed fishes there too, took some photos of the mangroves in which the island is very rich with, and later on...sunbathe. Fishing is restricted in that area, same in Pandan Island and other islands.

The next and last island to explore is the Starfish Island, and I bet  you already know why it's called Starfish Island. Correct! I wont type it anymore. There were big starfishes along the coast, at first, I thought they're fake but as we walk along the coast, I saw several of them and they're moving! I didn't touch them, cos it might bite, and I didn't take a dip in the water again cos my skin was itchy, sticky and burnt.

 

Oh well,  it was almost late in the afternon and time to get in the boat again and sail back to Honday Bay, we passed by an island called the Luli Island, and do you know why it is called Luli Island? I thought it was named after the former President's daughter but it wasn't. . .it is called Luli Island because its "lulubog liltaw" (it sinks and appears), and it's a funny name for an island. 


The island hopping tour is an unforgettable experience although I've done it a couple of times, it's my first time to swim in the sea with my feet not touching the sands underneath, and be followed by fishes, haven't done that before!

Taking a tour package is recommended when visiting interesting places in Palawan, you need not worry about the entrance fees, the transfer rides, and the food. It's a bit expensive, but it's all worth it! You can't be closer to Mother Nature all the time, so why hesitate spending a little for it.

This is posted for Scenic Weekends!!
This is also posted for Our World Tuesday!! Please visit!