Crash-Survival Guide to Sinulog

Photo from FreeStockPhotography.com.au

After living in Cebu for almost most of my life, countless Sinulogs, and misadventures, I have finally decided to make a crazy guide about Sinulog. If you wanna get out of Sinulog in one piece, then do check out this Crash-Survival Guide to Sinulog that I made!

DRESS FOR COMFORT AND WEATHER in MIND - believe it or not, your attire can make or break your experience. Just in case wear comfortable yet simple clothing. The weather can be moody, it can rain or it can be ridiculously hot as well. The best tip is wear sandals or flip flops.

BAGS - Preferably bring in tight and slinged bags or the like (Benchmark Photographers). If you have a fancy bag, chances are you might just lose it or perhaps it may just become a heavy burden. You can consider this: 1 Backpack + 1 slinged bag or just bring either (more than 2 bags can be a security risk). Or if your a Photographer: bring bags to house your lenses, tripod and a light yet efficient manner.

LIFE PACK - Water will be abundant (bottled) but it be best to bring your own; extra clothing (if you get sweaty due to ridiculous heat or rain); Some finger food (just to be safe --if you have a sensitive stomach); Umbrella (rain/shine); Head Gear (cap, cowboy hat, whatever..); Sun Block for those sunny Sinulog; Traditional HAND FAN or an pocket electric fan to cool off/down.

SCHEDULE! - different time, different foot traffic. 7am or earlier is an awesome time to be in the Sinulog Street route especially if you want to see the contingent (dancers prepare) and walk the streets like crazy [Secret Tip: most celebrities walk around during these times, yes they walk else just wait for them via their floats]

BUDGET - If you are living in Cebu, well be frugal unless you’re willing to spend a lot in terms of food and drinks then Php1000.00 can be a good budget. But if you want get around and don't spend a lot Php500.00 is sufficient. IF YOU ARE NOT FROM CEBU: Book your flights a year ahead, inquire also a year a head in terms of hotel and accomodations [Secret Tip: Try not to look like a tourist and people will charge you for less or bring a local buddy who can assist you in your spending]

LOCATION (x3) - If you wanna watch the street parade then be sure to strategically position yourself in the most happening places along the route of the Sinulog parade. Stay along Mango Avenue or Jones Ave (which leads to Cebu City Sports Complex where the grand stand is located). [Secret Tip: If you can afford it, stay in a hotel that are along these roads, for sure they have their own best viewing spots]

RESTING SPOTS - Find a place to cool down from the heat of the sun and the suffocating crowd.You'll be thanking even Trees during these times. But it be best to stay away from the crowd to gain some degree of natural breathing before diving right back into the fray. [Secret Tip: Malls and Restos near these places will be useless since their air-conditioning system will be useless BUT still find them if you wanna pee or do a call of nature]


ASK AROUND - To ensure your own awesome Sinulog Experience, be sure to ask around and research more about Cebu if you want to explore the place or go beyond the normal Sinulog Activities. If you don't know what you want, you can contact us, suggest a topic or the like; perhaps drop a comment below so we can get you more guides!

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10 possible Worst Sinulog Experiences: make sure this doesn't happen to you!

*Note: This post is a collated 'worst experiences' during the Sinulog celebrations via interviews, chats and also thru a local forum. This post is to 'educate' readers to avoid these things from happening to others in the future.


For those who have not experienced any of the lists below, then God Bless you; but for those greenhorn-overly-excited-newbies: please watch yourselves and be schooled! Though the Sinulog Festival is a religious event, humans as we are, there are still crazy people out there and that they can cause these things to happen.

From the Movie 300

1. STAMPEDE - though Sinulog is a more of a religious observation even during the parade, Celebrities can sometimes cause an uproar and turn people into walking screaming dead and move like crazy towards them. Also, when Celebrities throw 'stuff' to the crowd (and by stuff, most of the time CANDIES) and the crowd loose all logic and dive into them as if they've never had a candy in their entire life. Make sure to keep safe and prepare to lift small children to one's shoulders or stay away from tight crowds.

White Collar TV Series - Theives can be deceptive

2. THEFT - If you have a brand new phone that's touch-sensitive then might as well borrow a simple looking one; Cellphones, valuables, jewelry (Passport for visitors) and the like can be items for opportunists to take away from you!

3. TECHNOLOGY DELAY - It's a no-brainer that we are living in the information age and that we always want to be connected and updated; this has become our immediate communication channel-tool. Delayed calsl, SMS, internet, 3G are the main things that drive people crazy during Sinulog. Small Telco-networks may benefit the few and wireless internet connection and communication can save you from time to time; let's include here Charging SPOTS (outlets) people will cluster here even more if you don't fully charge your gadgets or have back-up batteries.

4. WORK DISRUPTION - if you're working on a 12 hour shift, night shift, construction or BPO industries, you better plan out your schedule. Whether your going to work or going home you better have an awesome transportation plan or else you'll be walking (might as well arrange to spend overnight at work).

5. HEALTH PROBLEMS - If you're sick, please don't join the celebrations for your own good (know your limits); If you're healthy, don't over-do-it for if you do, you'll probably get sick the next day.

• Viral - If you're hanging with a crowd of coughs and sneezes, chances are you'll get any of those viral infections.
• Exchange of Bodily Fluid - STOP THINKING and let me finish. You will be walking and do more walking and if there's a crowd you'll probably feel sweat (ewwwww!)
• Grosed-out - if you're sense of smell is hyper sensitive, then prepare yourself! (Lud-on, bahong-anso, singot..atbp.)

taken from History's Strongest Disciple: Kenichi ~Manga

6. PHYSIOLOGICAL STRAIN - This usually happens to devotees/dancers/organizers or at the end of the long day for most attendees but this can also happen early on if you dive into a heavy crowd of people. You can get:

• Elbowed - yes, just like in basketball.
• (Accidental) Tackle/Speared - You watch pro-wrestling? If a person slips and tries to recover.
• Numb Feet & Legs - if you're not ROTC/NSTP 'volunteer' then good for you, I'd say

7. MENTAL STRAIN - if there is physical, well here's the mental strain, 'Gib me tisyu coz my Nus is blid' for short. If you are good looking or fairly-pleasant-personality-looking-type, then you better be 'in-the-know' of Sinulog or of the routes/roads or about Cebu. WHY? You will probably attract tourists that want to get around. Why is this a BAD?/WORST Experience? IF YOU'RE NOT PREPARED THEN MOST PROBABLY IT'S GOING TO BE. So be prepared, prepare you're ENGLISH, your SMILE, so you can be a not only a good looking but also awesome ambassador of Cebu, Philippines. :D


8. PHOTO-BOMBED - yes, imagine you found an interesting spot or situation and you're all ready with your poses and all, then all of a sudden some random person just so happens to pass by and then it happens again...then again..then...

9. LOST - no, not the American TV Series --I mean literally lost, even if you're a local and you know how to get around to places, you will really feel lost as to where in heaven's name did all the Public Transportation go to, so be prepared for route changes and make sure to bring a buddy or be in a group to accompany oneself in getting around. Or better yet, position your Private Transportation in an accessible yet safe area so you can use that to go home, OR BE PREPARED to pull an all-nighter and go home the next day.

10. GETTING DRUNK - it's a community celebration (An event where friends can gather, meet and reunite), a religious exercise and a holiday to relax, enjoy the good life..so don't go and do something you'll regret or get arrested for!

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