Over 4 million revelers celebrate Sinulog Festival in Cebu City | ABS-CBN
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Over 4 million revelers celebrate Sinulog Festival in Cebu City
Revelers attend the 2025 Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, January 19, 2025. Annie Perez, ABS-CBN News
Revelers attend the 2025 Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, January 19, 2025. Annie Perez, ABS-CBN NewsCEBU -- This year's Sinulog Festival in Cebu City drew over four million revelers, according to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
CEBU -- This year's Sinulog Festival in Cebu City drew over four million revelers, according to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
This estimate included those inside and outside the Cebu City Sports Center, where the Ritual Dance Showdown was held, as well as those who watched the Grand Parade which spanned six kilometers.
This estimate included those inside and outside the Cebu City Sports Center, where the Ritual Dance Showdown was held, as well as those who watched the Grand Parade which spanned six kilometers.
As of 4:00 p.m., more than half of the contingents were by the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
As of 4:00 p.m., more than half of the contingents were by the Fuente Osmeña Circle.
"Sobrang saya! First time ko. Magiging panata na namin to every year," said Misbel Llamas, who came from Manila.
"Sobrang saya! First time ko. Magiging panata na namin to every year," said Misbel Llamas, who came from Manila.
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[Very happy! This is my first time. We will make this a promise to come every year.]
[Very happy! This is my first time. We will make this a promise to come every year.]
"It’s awesome. It’s fantastic. The costumes, the people… so friendly," added Allie Wilcow from Canada.
"It’s awesome. It’s fantastic. The costumes, the people… so friendly," added Allie Wilcow from Canada.
The grand parade, which featured 44 dancing contingents, 61 floats, 10 higantes and 11 puppeteers, ended around 11:00 p.m.
The grand parade, which featured 44 dancing contingents, 61 floats, 10 higantes and 11 puppeteers, ended around 11:00 p.m.
This is the largest and longest parade since the Sinulog Festival returned to its traditional form after the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the largest and longest parade since the Sinulog Festival returned to its traditional form after the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I am overwhelmed with joy and happiness, but most especially I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the people who made this Sinulog a success," Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia.
"I am overwhelmed with joy and happiness, but most especially I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the people who made this Sinulog a success," Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia.
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The finale was a dance number that highlighted the Sinulog and its role in the world, while giving devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu. It was followed by a fireworks display.
The finale was a dance number that highlighted the Sinulog and its role in the world, while giving devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebu. It was followed by a fireworks display.
The awarding ceremony for winning contingents is set on Monday, January 20.
The awarding ceremony for winning contingents is set on Monday, January 20.
SECURITY ENFORCEMENT
More personnel from Cebu City Police Office came to decongest the crowd at nighttime, after authorities observed that the revelers were getting rowdy.
More personnel from Cebu City Police Office came to decongest the crowd at nighttime, after authorities observed that the revelers were getting rowdy.
"We are not just doing control, we are directing where the props go and where the dancers go. This is room for improvement," said Police LtCol. Theresa Macatangay, Deputy Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office.
"We are not just doing control, we are directing where the props go and where the dancers go. This is room for improvement," said Police LtCol. Theresa Macatangay, Deputy Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office.
There were over 6,000 police personnel and force multipliers that secured the route. Authorities also deployed 6 Special Weapons and Tactics Teams.
There were over 6,000 police personnel and force multipliers that secured the route. Authorities also deployed 6 Special Weapons and Tactics Teams.
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Macatangay notes that more marshalls are needed from the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated to help guide the contingents.
Macatangay notes that more marshalls are needed from the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated to help guide the contingents.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Business Processing and Licensing Office issued a show-cause order to eight establishments that failed to comply with the executive order pertaining to the liquor ban. Selling and consumption is prohibited for establishments within the 300 meter radius of the parade route.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Business Processing and Licensing Office issued a show-cause order to eight establishments that failed to comply with the executive order pertaining to the liquor ban. Selling and consumption is prohibited for establishments within the 300 meter radius of the parade route.
They have been given three days to explain or else their business permits will be revoked.
They have been given three days to explain or else their business permits will be revoked.
HEALTH CONCERNS AND CLASS SUSPENSIONS
The Cebu City Health Department also reported some minor incidents during the parade. They catered to dancers and performers who experienced dizziness, while others fainted from exhaustion and hunger. About 190 of them were rushed for immediate medical attention.
The Cebu City Health Department also reported some minor incidents during the parade. They catered to dancers and performers who experienced dizziness, while others fainted from exhaustion and hunger. About 190 of them were rushed for immediate medical attention.
Some dancers incurred wounds from their props.
Some dancers incurred wounds from their props.
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"Naagapan naman," said Dr. Daisy Villa, Head of the Cebu City Health Department.
"Naagapan naman," said Dr. Daisy Villa, Head of the Cebu City Health Department.
To allow participants and revelers to rest, classes at all levels are suspended in Cebu City on Monday, for both private and public schools, according to Mayor Garcia.
To allow participants and revelers to rest, classes at all levels are suspended in Cebu City on Monday, for both private and public schools, according to Mayor Garcia.
To allow participants and revelers to rest, classes were suspended in Cebu City tomorrow, both public and private schools for all levels according to Mayor Garcia.
To allow participants and revelers to rest, classes were suspended in Cebu City tomorrow, both public and private schools for all levels according to Mayor Garcia.
The same also goes for Mandaue City. In Talisay City and Minglanilla, the suspensions only apply to public schools. Meanwhile, in Toledo City and Lapu-Lapu City, schools are advised to shift to modular mode.
The same also goes for Mandaue City. In Talisay City and Minglanilla, the suspensions only apply to public schools. Meanwhile, in Toledo City and Lapu-Lapu City, schools are advised to shift to modular mode.
The Sinulog Festival in Cebu coincides with the annual feast day of the Santo Niño de Cebu. It is now on its 25th year.
The Sinulog Festival in Cebu coincides with the annual feast day of the Santo Niño de Cebu. It is now on its 25th year.
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