Sinulog sa Dipolog: A Thanksgiving and Blessing

The 27th of January seems to be one of the busiest days for the Dipolognons, people of Dipolog City. Lots of people are already up even before the sunrise, making sure that all those needed for the day-long festivity are all set. Everyone is busy checking their costumes and props for the presentations and preparing sumptuous, mouth-watering meals for everyone that would be served on top of long tables. What are they preparing for? What else but the annual festival now called the Sinulog sa Dipolog!

Sinulog festival is a traditional commemoration of the child Jesus or, more commonly, Santo Niño every third week of January. This very colorful and lively celebration serves as a remembrance of the Filipinos’ turning back from paganism and full acceptance of Christianity. This is why the Sinulog festival is usually associated with Cebu City since it was in the said city that the Spaniards, who introduced Christianity to us, first landed. But in 1989, Dipolog City adapted the said celebration and up to now continues to honor it.

The Dipolognons also celebrate this festival as a thanks giving of the people to the Santo Niño for giving yet another bounty year of blessings. The city government of and the parishes in Dipolog City join forces in planning for the activities that would be held at the day of the festival. They always see to it that there is a holy mass which is usually followed by a procession. The procession is actually the most awaited part of the festival since it is during the procession that the Sinulog dance would take place. Drum beats and the sound of trumpets would be heard everywhere, and these sounds even heighten the joy of the people. After the procession is a welcome ceremony at ZN Sports complex, where the different contests would be held. The contests were mostly presentations from the diverse barangays.

But what does Sinulog mean? The word ‘sinulog’ originated from the Cebuano adverb, “sulog”, which means “like water current,” that describes the manner of moving in the Sinulog dance. From the history of Sinulog, the Sinulog dance was first performed by the pagan tribes who, with their bright-colored costumes and drums, merrily acknowledged the religion introduced to them. From then on, this dance was part of the annual celebration because it really played a vital role in the religious commemoration.

The city government highly supports the Sinulog sa Dipolog since it is like hitting two birds with one stone –remembering our religious beginnings and promoting the tourism of the Orchid City of Dipolog. So, why not try attending the Sinulog sa Dipolog, and experience the religiosity and hospitality of the Dipolognons.