Cebu has always had a rich history that has long been entwined with its devotion to the Catholic Church. Also associated with Cebu is its laid-back attitude and the native Sugbuanon's keen awareness of the good things in life�that good food, good music, good company, and good fun make for a good life.
No event can so colorfully or vividly depict this twinning of leisure and liturgy as the Sinulog Festival honoring the Sto. Niño, Cebuâ��s patron saint. The festival includes elements of deep piety, which include a nine-day series or novena of masses and a religious procession on Saturday, and rambunctious revelry, with throwback beats, colors, and costumes from the island's pagan days that are encompassed by the Sunday parade, contests, and street parties.
FemaleNetwork was on the streets of downtown Cebu, crying Pit Senyor! for the Sunday parade and parties along with an estimated 8 million other revelers, so check out these images of the festival that celebrates what Cebu is all about.
Photos courtesy of Eric Paolo P. Smith, Mario Gasalatan, and the author.
