THE 460th Sinulog Festival officially began on Friday, January 10, 2025.
The event began with a Mass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, followed by Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia’s announcement, officially marking the start of the festival.
Thousands of participants sang “Bato Balani sa Gugma”— the traditional Sto Niño hymn which means “Magnet of love”— during the holy mass. This involved the iconic raising of the Patron Saint Sto. Niño in the air.
After the mass, the grand parade commenced into the streets, led by performers from different colleges and universities in Cebu City.
Clad in their vibrant costumes, they danced to the traditional Sinulog, making their way from Osmeña Boulevard to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), which holds the venue for the opening Salvo program.
The CCSC venue signifies a shift in this year’s Sinulog from the previous celebration.
“It is back to where it belong… we are doing all this as an offering to pay tribute to the Señor Santo Niño,” said Garcia.
During his speech, Mayor Garcia announced that free concerts will be held at the same venue on January 16, featuring artists like TJ Monterde, Juan Karlos Labajo, KZ Tandingan, and others.
Free tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Mayor Garcia also called for a tightened security to the authorities, following the influx of visitors and devotees in the city.
“We expect a surge in the number of devotees starting Friday, Jan. 17 until Sinulog Sunday, on the 19th. This is a challenge not only to me but the leadership of the PNP (Philippine National Police) in Cebu City how to react to a situation such as this,” he said.
More than 3,000 security personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection have been deployed.
Mayor Garcia also signed a new executive order which declared new prohibitions for the Sinulog Festival.
This includes prohibiting concerts, shows, performances, gigs, and events along the Solemn Procession and Sinulog Parade Routes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 18 (Saturday) and from 12:01 a.m. to 10 p.m. on January 19 (Sunday).
A liquor ban is also set, covering the 300-meter radius of the Sinulog Parade route.
Selling, street parties, and the use of glass bottles for any type of beverage were also forbidden.
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