Sinulog Festival

SINULOG FESTIVAL

The word Sinulog is derived from the Cebuano word with meaning, "like the flowing water." Defined here are reluctant to step tramp hang Sinulog dance. The dancer usually dances forward and backwards in conjunction with the timing of the drum. One of Cebu Events, every 3rd Sunday of January. The theme is One Beat One Dance One Vision, it is called Sinulog Festival; Sinulog Philippines or Sinulog Cebu known as street dance of queen city of the south, tribute to the beloved patron of Cebuano.

The Celebration includes Sinulog Bazaar, the Sinulog contest, art and cultural performances, a procession, the parade there on the river Mactan, the Queen of Sinulog, and the colorful fireworks that pinasasabog the air.... As Ati-atihan, the Sinulog was asked? sacred image of Santo Niño, and the melody of "Pit Señor! Hey, blows! "shall remove the drum, clap, and scream at people across the city.

The historic event where the Sinulog Festival is based was on April 7, 1521. Fernando de Magallanes, a Portuguese navigator, landed on Cebu and claimed the area in the name of the King of Spain. He gave the Santo Niño to Rajah Humabon’s wife, Hara Amihan as a baptismal present. Rajah Humabon was Cebu’s ruler at that time. In honor of Carlos I’s mother, Juana, Hara Amihan’s name was changed to Queen Juana. 800 natives together with their rulers were baptized into Christianity.

This is the event where the Sinulog Festival revolves. The main theme of the Sinulog dance is Queen Juana, with the Santo Niño in her arms, blessing the people that are ill due to evil spirits.

The Sinulog Festival is an important event in the Filipinos’ religious life. It’s a time for joyful and colorful celebration. For a spectator on the street, it’s a beautiful scene to behold. But for a participant doing street dancing, it’s a way to show their devotion to God. The Sinulog Festival is a must see event.

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Taoist Temple

CEBU TAOIST TEMPLE

Located in the wealthy Beverly Hills residential enclave in the suburb of Lahug about 6 km north of downtown Cebu is an enormous Taoist Temple.

The temple is the a center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. You can see Taoist devotees following their traditional rites and rituals on Wednesdays and Sundays, as they climb the 99 steps of the temple to light joss sticks and have their fortunes read by the monks.

Built in 1972, the Taoist Temple is constructed in a highly ornate and, some would say, gaudy style that is typical of much modern Chinese religious architecture (with a predominantly red and green coloring scheme), and is topped with a pagoda-style roof.

The temple has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, and if you climb the 99 steps to the entrance, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of Cebu City and the harbor and in the distance Mactan and Bohol islands. Nice sunset views too.

For me, the Taoist Temple in Cebu Philippines is one of the highlights of Cebu. It is the only Taoist Temple I have been too. If you have been to many of them, especially the ones in Thailand, it probably will not be as impressive to you. If you’re into photography though, it’s a great place to visit. Perhaps that is why I loved it so much.

I have read a lot of negative reviews about the Taoist Temple in Cebu City, so I feel I should warn you that not everyone enjoys it as much as I do. Some are upset because of the dress code or they can’t take pictures in certain locations.

This temple is a operating Taoist Temple and that means they need to have certain rules in place. I remember getting scolded because I was hanging out in front of the main worship temple. They don’t like that. I couldn't get in because I had shorts on. I could see inside and to me it wasn’t a big deal to go inside.

If you visit the Taoist Temple in Cebu City, you should rent a taxi for a round way trip. Otherwise, you’ll find that you must walk down the mountain back into the city to get back to your home or hotel. That is not a short walk.

I have provided a Google map to the right. You can click on the navigation elements within the map to zoom or change your location. If you click the pointer in the map, you can also get directions to the Taoist Temple Cebu from your location. You can download a KML file and import it into your compatible GPS application by clicking here.

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Basilica Del Santo Niño

BASILICA DEL SANTO NIÑO

"Basilica Minore del Santo Nino Cebu" is the oldest Roman Catholic Church of 16th century in Cebu city. Located in the center of the city and is a perfect example of combination of three different architecture styles. The church was built at the exact location where the image of Santo Nino that means the Black Holy Child Jesus was found.

Inside of the Basilica del Santo Nino is the most famous religious icon in the Philippines, a statue of the Santo Nino. The statue was given to Queen Juana of Cebu by "Magellan".

Santo Nino is at the end of the Osmena Boulvard and very close to Fort San Pedro, mostly any jeepney will take you there for 8p or u can even walk to Basilica from Colon Street byurself .. 

This one of the oldest church of Philippines is devoted to Santo Nino that is the most popular symbol of Cebu city. According to the legends, it was a powerful deity of the colonial period and was generally known by the name of Captain General. Basilica Minore del Santo Nino is among one of the famous symbols of the city. This religious place is extremely popular and teems with devotees each desperately trying to catch a glimpse of Santa Nino statue. 

Sunday masses in Filipino are a crowded affair, I suggest u to try to visit the Basilica on another day.

This holiest of churches is a real survivor. Established in 1565 (the oldest church in the Philippines) and burnt down three times, it was rebuilt in its present form in 1737. Perhaps it owes its incendiary past to the perennial bonfire of candles in its courtyard, stoked by an endless procession of pilgrims and other worshippers. The object of their veneration is a Flemish image of the infant Jesus, sequestered in a chapel to the left of the altar. It dates back to Magellan’s time and is said to be miraculous (which it probably had to be to survive all those fires). Every year, the image is the centrepiece of Cebu’s largest annual event, the Sinulog festival.

On Sundays the basilica turns into a spectacle of pilgrims, water sellers and replica Santo Niño salespeople.

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