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Sinulog festival and its big help to small-time entrepreneurs

Tomorrow all roads will lead to the South Road Properties (SRP) where the country’s biggest festival, the Sinulog, is happening. During its day-long celebration, millions of revelers will converge at the 300-hectare South Road Properties to witness and take part in the 2024 Sinulog grand parade and ritual showdown. Tomorrow’s celebration will be participated by more than a hundred contingents consisting of giant props (higantes), floats, and dancing contingents).

Sinulog History

By the way, what is Sinulog? It is a religious festival celebrated in honor of the miraculous child, Señor Sto. Niño. The Sinulog is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January. 

This day-long celebration is highlighted by a ritual dance showdown by contingents coming from different provinces, cities in the country. Foreign contingents also perform as guest performers where they will also showcase their talents during the grand parade. 

Other highlights of the festival are religious activities such as the walk with Mary, the fluvial procession with the image of Señor Sto. Niño, and walk with Jesus. Other festivities are Sinulog singing competition, Sinulog Festival Queens and the Miss Cebu 2024. 

The Sinulog festival is organized by the Augustinian priests and the Sinulog foundation. The latter is in charge of the sociocultural aspect of the celebration while the former are in charge of the religious festivities. 

Boost local tourism

 Aside from celebrating the feast of the Holy Child Señor Sto. Niño, the Sinulog celebration, also has its economic aspect that benefits not just big business establishments but also micro entrepreneurs. For decades, Sinulog festival celebrations have always been a big help, especially to small and micro entrepreneurs in this beautiful, culture-rich island of Cebu, Philippines.
To entrepreneurs, the Sinulog festival is a good opportunity to earn by selling foods, merchandise, and services. During the celebration, a merchant can sell a wide array of merchandise ranging from Sinulog shirts to hand-made native hats. 

How do big businesses and micro entrepreneurs benefit from Sinulog celebrations? The Sinulog festival is such a big event in the country that a few weeks leading up to the feast, hotels in the city are already booked of foreign nationals and comebacking Filipinos (balikbayans)and locals joining the celebration. 

Airline and shipping companies also benefit from local and international passengers joining the Sinulog festival. Business establishments such as malls, restaurants, souvenir shops are also packed with shoppers and diners during the Sinulog celebration. 

Help of small-business

Big and small-time tattoo artists also take advantage of the celebration by offering services to those who would want their bodies tattooed. Hungry and thirsty? No problem, chicken barbecue ( intestine, legs, wings, head, legs, breast, feet, and hardened blood of chicken), pork barbecue and hanging rice, and beverages are sold along the roads. 

To protect your body from the sweltering heat, wide-brimmed, hand-made hats with artistic colors are also sold on the streets. Over at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño church where the image of the miraculous child is housed, elderly and children also earn a living selling candles to devotees and parishioners paying homage to the holy child. These candle vendors also offer dance to the miraculous child at your requ
est. Aside from celebrating the feast of the miraculous child, the Sinulog celebration is also an opportunity to earn a living. With the divine guidance of the holy child, may the celebration of His feast be peaceful, joyful, and safe. Viva Pit Senyor Sto. Santo Niño !!!





Author: Samuel A. Escabarte is a licensed English Language and Literature teacher. You may support this small website as I share with you the historical events, culture, and traditional practices of my small, yet beautiful, culture-rich country, the Philippines.

 


 

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