Your Sinulog 2008 Guide

Are you excited for Sinulog 2008? Here’s your complete guide to all the exciting events and activities that you shouldn’t miss during this most festive season in Cebu City!






January 11 to 20, 2008

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Nightly Cultural Presentation at the Fuente Circle
– Nightly Presentation of Different Local Bands

DON’T MISS:
– University of Cebu Dance Troupe (Jan 13)
– University of San Carlos Dance Troupe (Jan 15)
– Abellana National School Dance Troupe (Jan 16)
– University of San Jose-Recoletos Dance Troupe (Jan 17)

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Cash for light snacks

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– Program starts at 7. A limited number of seats can be found in front of the stage. If you want to have a comfortable and fun time, be there early.


January 11

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Grand kick-off/launching of the Festival

DON’T MISS:
– The Solemn mass at the Basilica (2 pm)
– Fireworks!!!! (8 pm)

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Bottled water
– Face towel/hanky

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– If you want to be able to get a good seat at the Basilica, be there at least an hour before the mass.
– Take note of the correct gate labels to be able to get in and out of the basilica easily.
– Wear a cool and comfy shirt.
– Don’t wear jewelry.
– If you can, leave the young kids at home.


January 12

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Sinulog Sa Kabataan Sa Lalawigan (A Sinulog Competition for contingents from Cebu Province) (2 pm)
– Miss Cebu 08 Presentation (Fuente Osmena)

DON’T MISS:
– Contingent from Alcoy
– Contingent from Pinamungahan
– Contingent from Daan Bantayan
– Miss Cebu contestants (in Fuente 8:00 pm)

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Cap
– Bottled Water
– Cash

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– You can watch the parade from Fuente down to Abellana. The parade usually starts at 1 in the afternoon. If you want, you can get inside Abellana for a minimal fee (around 5 pesos). Be there early!
– Same drill for the nightly show at Fuente.


January 13

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Sinulog Sa Kabataan Sa Dakbayan (A Sinulog Competition for contingents from the city) (2 pm)

DON’T MISS:
– Contingent from Basak
– Contingent from Pasil
– Contingent from Guadalupe

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Bottled Water
– Cash
– Cap

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– You can watch the parade from Fuente down to Abellana. The parade usually starts at 1 in the afternoon. If you want, you can get inside Abellana for a minimal fee (around 5 pesos). Be there early!


January 17

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Ms. Cebu ’08 Coronation Night (Cebu Waterfront Hotel)

DON’T MISS:
– Live telecast at the Fuente LCD screen (McDonald’s)

BRING YOUR:
– Call the Cebu Waterfront Hotel for your tickets.
– Little cash for light snacks at Fuente.

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– If you can’t make it to the Hotel, look for the giant LCD screen in Maria Luisa Building in Fuente for the live telecast of the pageant.


January 18

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Opening of Devotee City

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– If you can’t afford to stay in a hotel during your stay here in Cebu, check out the devotee city in Plaza Independencia. Free accommodation is given to deserving individuals and families.


January 19

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Fluvial Procession
– Re-enactment of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon’s Baptism
– Solemn Procession
– Sinulog Festival Queen
– Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras

DON’T MISS:
– The fluvial procession of hundreds of private water vehicles at the Mactan channel.
– Re-enactment and presentation at the Basilica.
– One of the most well-attended processions in the country.
– Sinulog Festival Queen in Abellana
– Street Party in Fuente and Plaza Independencia
– Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras in Ayala Center Cebu

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Fan
– Cap
– Cash

LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– To see everything (fluvial parade) clearly, head for the bridge before 6 am. You can also stay at different piers. Bring some flowers. Throw petals at the passing fleet.
– Mass at the Basilica starts at 9 am. Be there early.
– The procession starts at 2 pm. Assembly starts around 1 pm in front of the City Hall. As some major roads are blocked to traffic, you might end up walking towards the starting point. Be there early.
– Sinulog Festival Queen at the Abellana Sports Center is one of the highlights of the entire festival. The ‘face’ of the festival will be taken from the contestants. Entrance is free.
– Watch the best contingents perform in Ayala. The event starts at 8.


January 20

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
– Mananita Mass at the Basilica
– Sinulog Grand Parade
– Grand Fireworks
– Party Everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DON’T MISS:
– Letting go of balloons with petitions during the mass
– Tribu Basakanon
– San Diego Dancers
– Gigantes
– TV Stars
– Floats
– Foreign Contingents

BRING YOUR:
– Camera
– Cash
– Shades
– Hat
– Most festival-y yet comfortable (and cool) outfit
– Water!!!

 LEYLANDER’S NOTE:
– Mananita mass starts at 4 am but if you can, be there before midnight. The place is jampacked! Buy a balloon and write a short petition on a small piece of paper. Tie the petition to the balloon and let go of it when ‘Bato Balani’ is sung.
– Tribu Basakanon is Cebu’s biggest bet!
– The San Diego Dancers will probably grace the festival as guest performers.
– Watch out for Pikoy’s higante (my officemate. ehehe)
– Some famous TV stars will surely be visible. Keep your eyes open!
– Watch out for IPI’s float!
– Watch out for contingents from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Cambodia!
– Before the parade starts, find a good spot (where there’s shade).
– Get a temporary tattoo and dance the Sinulog when you feel like it!
– After the parade, make sure to go to Ayala for the grand fireworks display at 7 pm. Fireworks are visible in Cebu Business Park.
– Not sure where to party after the parade? Worry not! The entire city will be one big party. Special places of interest include Ayala, SM, Fuente, Mango Avenue, Gorordo Avenue, Jones Avenue, Plaza Independencia







Check the complete schedule here.

Check other Sinulog features here.

19 thoughts on “Your Sinulog 2008 Guide

  1. Thank you so much for this complete info. I can’t wait!=) I’ll give you a call Leylan to pick up your gift. I’ll be staying at Apple Tree Suites.

  2. thanks a bunch, Ley for a detailed info. i will not excite myself coz am just sorry i won’t be around. hope i do not move job this year, so i will see Cebu/Sinulog definitely next year. Anyways, happy ‘Pit Senyor’ na lang sa tanang Sugubuanon og sa ilang mga higala=:)

  3. Have to confess – have not really paid too much attention to what is happening in the city – tag bukid man gyud! – You make it look so inviting and so exciting that I will have to make a point in coming in early on time for Sinulog. Usually arrive the week after and go straight to Catmon.

  4. bai! maayong buntag sugbo! pwedi ko maka-request kung mahimo lang?… pls i-apil ang dates & venues sa mga concerts in ayala/ SM /
    mango , etc and the bands playing on sinulog weekend-fri, sat & sun ..thanx;-)
    kato sa mga naka-hibaw, pls inform me…thanx

  5. hi………. kindly share me some info regarding d sked & location of drag racing or airsoft competition this coming sinulog 2008, if thers any lng nman. tyvm…

  6. hi good day. gusto ko lang sana malaman kung alam mo kung san pwede makabili ng tickets para dun sa event na iheld sa Abellana? thank you…. hope to hear your reply..

  7. as far as i know, sold out na ang tickets sa grandstand. i think the remaining tickets para sa may side na dapit. but i could be wrong.

    please call the sinulog foundation. 2545010, telefax 4164548

  8. ley, PIT SENYOR!!! for so many years i have been a part of the sinulog festivities. our group-CANINE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, have for so many years been tagged by the sinulog foundation to help out in the the different activities they have for the whole duration of the festivities. this year, i won’t be able to make it coz i’m hear in the far away land of dubai. yet even i’m in a far away place, i’m excited to watch the grand parade. would happen to know if there will be a live webcast? if so could you give me a mail. tnx. PIT SENYOR again.

  9. hi leylander!

    i really wanted to attend the Sinulog but I wasn’t able to due to lack of finances, hehe…now I regret…my friend said it was a blast and from what I read here, I think it was! awww, wish i can go next year. btw, i’m living in manila and i hope to visit cebu soon!

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