Surviving Sinulog 2008, part 2

continued from part 1

The Sinulog of Cebu, by most account, is already synonymous with the grand streetdancing scheduled every third Sunday of January. Originally, when the festival was first held in 1980, the parade was organized with the Church’s blessing, after all, the Senor Sto Nino is celebrating its feastday that day.

Eventually, the touristy and commercial nature of the street party overcame its faithful significance, and consequently, the Church distanced itself altogether. Rightfully so, the city government, through the Sinulog Foundation, took full control. Now, the city has already built several programs immediately after New Year, such that excitement is built up until the most awaited culminating Sunday parade.

Interestingly, despite my keen interest in photography, I still have not watched most of these festive highlights, including the traditional beauty pageant Ms Cebu, a pop-song contest, the firework displays and any of the nightly entertainment and cultural activities.

I also always skip the popular elimination contests done the on weekend before the Sinulog parade, the Sinulog sa Kabataan- Lalawigan for schools from the province and Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan for schools from Cebu City. Here you would be able to check out the many youth or school dance troupes who would like to join the Sunday grand parade, which the organizers would have to trim down to a more manageable number (I think they only accept the top 3).

I would very much to photograph any of these affairs but work or personal matters always seem to be my excuse. (I hate to admit that it could be indolence!)

Next: Part 3

Here are more pictures of the Sinulog 2008 grand parade.


Canon EOS 350D, 1/3200s, f/5.0, 230mm, ISO 800
the Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City, 1st Prize Streetdancing and 2nd Prize Sinulog-based Category, at the Sinulog grand parade, Cebu City, the Philippines
The Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City was gunning for its fourth consecutive grand prize crown under the Sinulog-based Category. The contingent fell short and only came in second to the Tribu Silog from Alcoy. Still not bad especially that Sinanduluy also grabbed 1st Prize in Streetdancing.



phototip: Fill the frame.
Canon EOS 350D, 0.008s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100
the Tribu Kalimudan of Sultan Kudarat, at the Sinulog 2008 Grand Parade, Cebu City, the Philippines
I actually enjoyed the performance of the Tribu Kalimudan of Sultan Kudarat. The presentation was what we call performance-level. They did not place though which was strange but then competition was really tough.



Canon EOS 350D, 0.005s, f/5.6, 205mm, ISO 800
a dancer of the Tribu Iliganon from Iligan (4th Place, Free Interpretation Category), at the Sinulog 2008 grand parade, Cebu City, the Philippines
The Tribu Iliganon from Iligan turned heads. The male dancers sported piercings, face and body paint and even went bald, save for a ponytail on top of their heads. The contingent finished 4th Place in the Free Interpretation Category.



Canon EOS 350D, 0.017s, f/5.6, 120mm, ISO 100
the Kaogma Festival contingent from Camarines Sur, at the Sinulog 2008 grand parade, Cebu City, the Philippines
One of the most crowd-pleasing contingents was the troupe representing the Kaogma Festival of Camarines Sur. Wearing hot pants in flaming red, tamed only by a diaphanous overskirt open in the front, the girls were most flirtatious. I am sure some conservative people were squirming.