Festival for the Holy Child

The Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. It's the adaptation of Kalibo Sto Niño Ati-atihan festival in Aklan.The festival honors the vision of the child Jesus, known as the Santo Niño (Holy Child),who used to be the patron Saint of the City of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). It is a dance ritual that commemorates the Cebuano people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

The festival features a street parade with participants in bright colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan" performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in the Cebu City Sports Complex.
--- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I woke up so early in the morning, got up from bed and peeked through the window. I wasn't glad that the sky was so depressingly dark and saw rain drizzling on the glass window. The intermittent rain was just so heavy enough to spoil the day but I don't mind it too hard and just thought that this will be the day to celebrate and for fun-making.

I had with me my officemate. We registered for the photowalk event organized by the Sinulog FOundation. This was our first time to join this event being amateur photographers and we never regretted. We were wearing vests sponsored bt Canon (but shit! I'm a Nikonian/Nikonite) but I never had second thoughts of registering. It doesn't matter to me if I have a low-end cam, a non-Canon unit or whatever. The full access in the road during streetdancing is itself a great oppurtunity to take photos with ease. It's overwhelming that you have the edge among the others who were just taking photos in the sidewalk or in the corner. I can shoot to any angles I want, build a better composition and capture effects. It's so fulfilling that every shot I made I can see how people were so happy not only the participants dancing but to those who were watching. Hundreds or I think thousands braved the rain just to witness a once a year spectacular event. I brought with me an umbrella to protect me while I am taking pictures. I never felt tired the whole day the only thing that I was complaining was about by shoes. After a very long walk ( I want to exagerrate), the sole of my shoe gave up. Water was seeping throught it making me a little uncomfortable walking. But everything went well from 7AM-8PM. I decided not to go out that night. I deserve a rest and will be busy the following day working on my photos.

I really enjoyed the Sinulog celeration this year compared to the previous years. Maybe because I really did something different this year. This year's celebration is really one of a kind. I am expecting more for the coming years. In the meantime, I'm not posting some of the pictures here due to some restrictions and regulations that I need to follow ordered by the foundation. Thank you for taking time visiting my album. VIVA PIT SEÑOR!! 'till next year! :)