The Sinulog Festival:

An awe and wonder from a Boholanos experience

Theology and Culture

Wow, it was amazing! These were the words I uttered when I first experienced one hour
of a Fireworks Display at Ayala during the Sinulog 2005. The yearly experience I had was always
unique and has a new story to tell. However, this story I am sharing is from a young lad. He is a
seminarian and his name is Jofel Naraga, 23 from Bohol. He shared to me his jaw dropping
experience of the Sinulog festival.
It was his first time to witness the Sinulog Festival. He recalled when he was a kid that he
used to watch the celebration only in the television. And he had so much fun looking at the giant
puppets, the Mardigras street contest and street partys all over the place. But, his real Sinulog
experience was far from watching the television set.
Jofels first exposure of the festivities was when the SMSC was invited to be the choir in
a novena mass in the Basilica. He was strucked by the humongous people lining towards the
Pilgrim center to attend the Holy mass. He observed and pitied those who cannot enter since the
place were filled. Hence, he just knew the overflowing of devotees in every liturgical celebration
of the mass all throughout the day. Yet, they chose to standstill offering their prayers and petitions
to the Seor Sto. Nio.
Jofels first witness of the throng in the Basilica from a birds eye view was an amazement
to him. He never thought about the Cebuano faith as this. Thus, he was marveled when the Bato
Balani sunged in chorus as the congregation waved their synchronized hands to the Seor Sto.
Nio. To his amazement he said, Wow Kujapa, mani ngani di ay ni sila! in cebuano, Waw,
kuyawa, mag ingon ani di ay ni sila! He was carried by the people dancing as the Sinulog beat
was played after the mass. For him, it was faith explained. He felt privileged and humbled that
he was able to experience such while others are having difficulty staying outside.
The solemn procession is one of the liturgical celebrations of the Sinulog where in millions
of devotees joined all over the country. Jofel likewise never failed to attend such moment despite
the mornings rainfall. He challenged and pushed himself the need to sacrifice with much curiosity
in his mind. He also adhered and imparted his classmates wish to get into the cordon where many
religious congregations and clerics were only allowed to get in. So, they tried squeezed in through
the procession. Because they wear their cassocks, they pretended to be clerics reaching and
getting in to the cordon easily. Thus, he observed that people were praying intensely despite the
discomforts of the humid weather, the aching toes and feet they endured as they walked through.
Yet, despite the alarming bomb threats the zealous devotees were intensely focused in their
prayers.
His whereabouts on the Feast day.
As expected, most of the major roads and highways will be closed because of the street
parade and parties so individuals are in for a whole lot of walking. Thus, Jofel together with his
classmates decided and went to Basilica to attend the Holy Eucharist. In the midst of the massive
crowd he once more witness even the greatness of faith of the Cebuano people in an unexpressed
statement. The devotees inside and outside the Basilica were filled with people. By this
observation, he also inquired himself how strong is his faith compared to the people he saw. Jofel
was moved and reflected more on his personal relationship and devotion to the Lord.
After the Liturgical celebration they proceeded to a table banquet. The place is at the
Parian where his Priest companion invited them for lunch. They had so much fun going to the
place walking and cheering as people they encountered in the streets do the same. It was just
timely for them that they were hungry when they reached Father Abels house. The festive mood
in each of their faces shines as they share their thoughts, laughters in the celebration at the table.
After their lunch they went to Fuente Osmea to watch the Grand Mardigras street
competition. The Huge booming sound speakers mounted in some corners where Sinulog music
beats everyones nerve to dance. Thus, they proceeded and stroll SM City and Ayala malls where
festivities were very much observed too. In the evening, they awed heading up watching the
fireworks display. A jaw dropping experience amazed all in chorus. Indeed, it was fantastic he
said. Jofel and his friends proceeded then to Mango Avenue, a place where the KTV bars and all
sorts located. It is a place for most people to celebrate and partying and spending all through the
night.
Sinulog Celebration: After thought
Jofels thought of experience was full of amazement. He said, it was totally awesome! It
was my first time to experience such celebration in my entire life. People were fortified and very
active. He added, I cannot wait for the next years celebration of the Senior Sto. Nio. It was the
feast among all festivals. Nothing compares! I really love it.
Segundo Galilea in his book Popular Religiosity says, Everything that is being said about
Catholic faith is always accompanied with a work in popular piety/devotion. It is a pastoral practice
leading to conquer challenges of pressing needs in our popular Catholicism. Thus, Jofels
experience with the devotees is a concretize it all. It is one important aspect of a Catholic Christian
to be involved in any popular religiosity before we can say that ones faith is concretely lived.