Libotero – Philippine Travel Photo Blog

This year’s Sinulog Festival is expected to be the grandest and most colorful yet, with 50 contingents from all-over the country participating in the street dancing competition and Grand Parade. But aside from that, here’s some amazing news to enhance and enrich your Sinulog 2012 experience!

PLDT and SMART, the pioneer in telecom innovations will be offering FREE WIFI all throughout the Sinulog Grand Parade route on January 15, 2012. You read that right, FREE WIFI! I know you are all very excited to avail of this so here’s how you could be part of this groundbreaking development!

The PLDT WiFi Zone may be accessed at the following locations:

- Gen Maxilom Ave. (Mango Ave.) from Gorordo Ave. to Fuente Osmeña Circle – permanent
- Fuente Osmeña Circle – permanent
- Osmeña Blvd. from Fuente Osmeña Circle to P. del Rosario St. – permanent
- N. Bacalso Ave. from Cebu South Bus Terminal to P. del Rosario St. – permanent
- P. del Rosario St. (including University of San Carlos) from Osmeña Blvd. to Sikatuna St. – permanent
- Cebu City Sports Center (Abellana) – temporary installation until Jan. 16 only
- Cebu City Hall (including Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Sugbo and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño) – permanent
- Cebu Provincial Capitol – permanent
- Plaza Independancia – permanent

To access the WiFi zones, those interested may redeem WiFi Zone Pins at the PLDT WiFi Zone booths scattered along the parade route:

1. Community Area – stall no. 223-224
2. Yellow Cab Mango – stall no. 481-482
3. Lighthouse Restaurant Mango – stall no. 666-667
4. Planet 8 – stall no. 515-516

For the first time in Sinulog’s 32-year history, especially with the expected clogging of networks and delayed receipt of text messages, Cebuanos and visitors may now directly post photos, videos and status messages online, of what’s happening while they’re happening!

“This value-added service is an extension of our customers’ broadband service at home carrying with it the same strong connections that they experience with MyDSL and Fibr. Wherever it is available, users will get to enjoy fast, reliable wifi service in popular locations throughout the city,” said PLDT Retail Business Group Head Dan Ibarra.

After the Sinulog Festival, PLDT landline and MyDSL subscribers who wish to continue enjoying the city-wide WiFi zone will only have to shell out and additional P150 for PLDT MyDSL subscribers and P300 for landline subscribers with a Php 50 one-time fee to get the unique WiFi pin for single access.

This is really a major achievement for Cebu, the whole country and PLDT. Having been able to enjoy Singapore’s Wireless@SG service, I am very glad that we’re finally going to have something similar here. This will definitely benefit “people on the move” or those people who require wireless broadband access while away from their homes, schools and offices such as students, tourists, business travellers and enterprise users who use widely-available and wireless-enabled devices such as laptops and smartphones.

Good job, PLDT and the Cebu City Government for the initiative!

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UPDATE: PLDT has extended the Free WiFi service until the end of the month! So if you’re a PLDT subscriber, register now at www.pldtwifizone.com to avail of the service for FREE until January 31, 2012!

Want to take part in the Sinulog 2012 Festivities but cannot be physically present in Cebu during the Solemn Procession on January 14 and Sinulog Grand Parade on January 15? Don’t fret! Several media organizations will be providing live streaming of the various highlights of the Sinulog Festival 2012. Check out our compilation below:

- SkyCable Cebu will be airing the Sinulog Festival Queen Competition on January 13, starting 7pm at Sky Channel 15; Sinulog Grand Parade Street-dancing, on January 15, starting 8am at Sky Channel 2 and the Sinulog Grand Showdown on January 15, starting 9am at Sky Channel 15. Online, these may be viewed at

- Live Streaming of the Miss Cebu 2012 Coronation Night at Studio 23.

- Live Streaming of the Sinulog Grand Parade at the Sinulog Official Website and CCTN Website

- Live Streaming of the Sinulog Grand Parade (from 8am-5pm) at the Choose Philippines Website. Register and get a chance to win exciting prizes!

- TV5 Sinulog Coverage (from 8am-8pm), live at Aksyon TV Channel 41 in Mega Manila, Channel 29 in Metro Cebu and Davao, Channel 1 on Cignal Digital TV, and Channel 59 on Sky Cable. Live streaming may also be viewed at the InterAksyon website.

- ABS-CBN Cebu and DYAB Teleradyo will also be having a coverage of the Sinulog Grand Parade. DYAB Cebu’s Live Webcast may be viewed here

- Live Streaming of the various Sinulog activities at SunStar Cebu’s Sinulog Microsite

Pit Senyor!

After yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan got the momentum for the Sinulog 2012 fever started, the energy was fueled even further by the staging of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan earlier!

The Sinulog sa Kabataan is one of the highlights of the Sinulog Festival every year. It is held annually one weekend before the Sinulog Grand Parade. It serves as an “elimination round” for the elementary and secondary students of the province (Lalawigan) and the city (Dakbayan) as the winners of both competitions will automatically be elevated to be part of the Sinulog Grand Parade to go up against other local and out-of-town contingents.

The activity started at exactly 1 in the afternoon with street dancing by the participants from the Plaza Independencia, in downtown Cebu City, to the Cebu City Sports Center (Abellana), where the showdown was held from 2pm onwards. 7 contingents battled it out for the elementary division while there were 10 for the secondary division.

Anyway, here are the winners of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan 2012!

ELEMENTARY:

Best in Musicality: Labangon Bliss Elementary School

5th: Mambaling Elementary School

4th: City Central School (TRIVIA: they were 5th place last year)

3rd and Best in Costume: Zapatera Elementary School

2nd: Punta Princesa Elementary School

1st: Bulacao Community School

It was refreshing to see a “Sinulog-based” performance win the crown in the elementary division this year. Most of the winners in the previous years had “Free Interpretation” performances. The Sinulog-based category entails a lot more discipline within the dancers as there are strict guidelines by the Sinulog Foundation to be followed, such as, the two steps forward-one step backward movement, among others, and it’s just very heartwarming to see young children, most of them at 9-12 years old, already very controlled and graceful in the execution of the movements. The only group that did not go home with any award in the elementary division is Carreta Elementary School.

SECONDARY:

5th: Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School

4th: Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School (TRIVIA: last year, they were 2nd place)

3rd: Barrio Luz National High School

2nd and Best in Musicality: Apas National High School

The performances of the Top 4 were very solid this year. I was able to predict the Top 4 but I thought that any one of them could grab the crown. The competition was really very tight, especially between the Top 2. There was a lot of pressure for Abellana as they won for the past two consecutive years and they needed this for a grandslam win. Abellana National School had themed-presentations for the past two years. In 2010, they portrayed Bulacan’s traditional subli folk dance. Last year, they portrayed the Pastores, which is about the Nativity. This year, they presented a very unique theme, a mass wedding, in line with the theme of this year’s religious fiesta celebration, “Sto. Niño: Refuge of the Filipino Christian Family”. The concept was very apt as families indeed begin from the union of a couple. Their costumes were very elegant as well. The girls had intricate white bridal gowns while the boys were in barongs. To add to those elements, the dancers moved very gracefully and you could tell that they knew what they were doing. Their performance was well applauded. A few groups later, it was Apas National High School’s turn on the stage. They had a huge backdrop that depicted the historical attractions of Cebu. They wore Filipiniana costumes but the biggest come-on of their performance was how their dance built momentum starting with a graceful drama quickly transforming into a heart-pumping fast-paced bouncing, stepping, waving and swaying! They got roaring cheers from the crowd which made me think that they had a very high chance of snatching the crown from Abellana.

1st: Abellana National School

Ultimately, Abellana National School emerged as the winner! I personally do not know anyone in the group but I have been a fan since 2009. Where did it all begin? Sinulog Festival Queen Photoshoot 2009. My camera simply loves their lead dancer, Rotahmae Joy Verano. She has always shined in my photos and I was glad that she’s back this year because for some reason, she only played a supporting role last year.

Here’s a video of their repeat performance immediately before the awarding ceremonies earlier:

The other groups that participated in the secondary division are Talamban Night High School, Gothong National High School, Lahug Night High School, Pardo Night High School and Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School.

Prizes for the Sinulog sa Kabataan were increased this year! The winners of the special awards (Best in Costume and Best in Musicality), each received P20,000. The Champion in both divisions received P300,000; P150,000 for the 2nd placer, P100,000 for the 3rd placer, P75,000 for the 4th placer and P50,000 for the 5th placer.

I’ve observed that there has been a shift of interest in this year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan (both Lalawigan and Dakbayan) as the competition in the secondary division was more interesting than the elementary division. This could be attributed to the absence of most of last year’s winners in the elementary division, so definitely, there was less challenge and pressure to the participating contingents this year but Overall, the performances delivered this year have really leveled-up, compared to last year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan!

It’s one week to go guys before the Sinulog Grand Parade 2012!!

It’s Sinulog time once more and the Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu City’s finest hotel, joins the rest of Cebu in celebrating its grandest and most colorful festival. As we chant these days: Pit Senyor! Viva Snr. Santo Niño!

Ms. Julie Najar (Marco Polo Plaza Cebu Resident Manager), special guest priest, Ms. Rowena Montecillo (Region Director, DOT-7), Ms. Jessica Avila and Mr. Val San Diego welcome guests, media and VIPs to the launch of Marco Polo Plaza’s Sinulog 2012 activities

Val San Diego, Ms. Rowena Montecillo, and special guest priest grind Cebuano raw ingredients to formally open Sugbusog 2012!

From January 6 to 15, Marco Polo Plaza brings back well-loved Cebuano traditions. In honor of the occasion, they opened the special weeklong Sto. Niño exhibit, a rare antique collection of the Compañeros de Juego del Sto. Niño, at the hotel lobby.

Exhibit opening and blessing

The San Diego Dance Company

The Marco Polo Plaza also continues its traditional SUGBUSOG, with this year’s theme “Suroy Suroy sab ta sa Marco Polo” For lunch or dinner, delight in a sumptuous selection of Cebuano heritage cuisine, featuring the culinary treasures of Cebu’s famous municipalities in the south: Dumanjug, Ronda, Carcar, Argao, Boljoon, Oslob and Santander.

Have your fill of all time Cebuano food favorites like lechon (this time, it’s Carcar lechon, arguably Cebu’s best tasting!), kinilaw, pusit (squid) and other seafood fare, as well as afritada, inun-onan, sinanduloy, guso, lato, and more. Talented restaurateur and guest chef Jessica Avila also shares well-loved family recipes for traditional Cebuano fiesta dishes. Ms. Avila has been the food consultant at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu for almost four years. As an icon of Cebuano cuisine, she has graciously contributed her expertise and extensive knowledge in Cebuano dishes, food styling and events to help make Cebuano food festivals at the Marco Polo culinary triumphs. Imagine tasty treats such as biko, humba, budbud, bagoong and a lot more. All these on top of the regular international buffet favorites at Cafe Marco.

Check how familiar you are with Cebuano food by trying to label all the dishes that appear below..

Drooling?

Make this week a truly festive affair! Go up and celebrate Sinulog 2012 at Cebu City’s only five-star hotel, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. For inquiries and reservations, call 253111 loc 8249 or email mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com

After yesterday’s kick-off parade to open the festivities, it’s all systems go for the biggest and grandest festival in the Philippines, the Sinulog Festival!

Earlier, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan was held. The Sinulog sa Kabataan is one of the highlights of the Sinulog Festival every year. It is held annually one weekend before the Sinulog Grand Parade. It serves as an “elimination round” for the elementary and secondary students of the province (Lalawigan) and the city (Dakbayan) as the winners of both competitions will automatically be elevated to be part of the Sinulog Grand Parade to go up against other local and out-of-town contingents.

The activity started at exactly 1 in the afternoon with street dancing by the participants from the Cebu Provincial Capitol, to Fuente Osmeña, down to the Cebu City Sports Center (Abellana), where the showdown was held from 2pm onwards. 6 contingents battled it out for the elementary division while there were 11 for the secondary division.

Here are the winners of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2012!

ELEMENTARY:
5th: Santa Filomena Elementary School, Alegria (last year’s 2nd placer)

4th: Bogo City Division

3rd: San Roque Elementary School, Talisay City (last year’s champion)

2nd: Tuyan Central Elementary School, Naga City, Cebu (first time to join)

1st: Danao City East District, Danao City Central School
Best in Costume: Danao City East District, Danao City Central School
Best in Musicality: Danao City East District, Danao City Central School

Rapid movements, colorful props and eye-catching transitions afforded the Danao City Central School the crown for the elementary division this year! As there were only 6 groups who competed for the elementary division, only Gregorio Milan Elementary School of Balamban did not make it.

SECONDARY:

5th: Maslog National High School, Danao City

4th: Medellin National High School (first time to join)

3rd: Lawaan National High School, Talisay City

2nd: Toledo National Vocational School (last year’s 5th placer)

1st: Carcar City Division (defending champion)
Best in Costume: Carcar City Division
Best in Musicality: Carcar City Division

It was a very close fight between Toledo and Carcar for the secondary division. The former had very sparkling costumes and extravagant props which were executed properly while the latter had simple props but very seamless and graceful choreography and hair-raising musicality. Carcar emerged victorious as their performance really showed discipline and fluidity in their movements.

Other groups that participated in the secondary division were Pajo National High School (Lapu-Lapu City), Liloan National High School, Tuyan National High School (Naga), Tabok National High School (Mandaue City), Tuburan National High School and Tulay National High School.

Overall, the performances delivered this year have leveled-up, compared to last year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan! Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Michael Rama, who were both present, described the performances as world-class! It’s good that our homegrown contingents continue to raise the bar in terms of performances, choreography and innovation each year.

Meanwhile, it’s the city boys and girls’ time to shine tomorrow for the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan! Pit Senyor!

Kicking off this year’s Fiesta Señor and coinciding with the Sinulog Launching Parade, Ayala Center Cebu opened its annual Sto. Niño Exhibit earlier today at the Exhibit Area 2, between Kamiseta and Celine at the 2nd level of the mall. With the theme: “Sto. Niño in the Home of Faith”, this year’s exhibit featured various images of Señor Sto. Niño worshipped and treasured by generations of families in family homes.

Ayala Center Cebu General Manager Joy Polloso, Former DOT-7 Director Dawnie Roa, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and devotees led the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open this year

Msgr. Cris Garcia opens the exhibit with a novena prayer. He also shared his own devotion to the Sñr. Sto. Niño and urged devotees not to say “Pit Senyor” out of “desperation” but out of peace, hope and love

Msgr. Garcia blesses all the images in the Exhibit

The exhibit runs until January 17, 2012.

Meanwhile, here are the other activities lined up by Ayala Center Cebu for a very FESTIVE-ALL Sinulog 2012 celebration!

Grand Fiesta SALE – Enjoy huge discounts of up to 70% off in great selections mallwide from January 6-16.

Sinulog Dancers Mall Parade – Get pumped up with Sinulog dancers parading around the mall paseos on 3pm, January 9-11.

JP Morgan Sinulog Party featuring Spongecola – Recently awarded a diamond record for their fourth album, “Araw, Oras, Tagpuan”, Spongecola will be performing live at The Terraces on 6pm, January 11.

Balik Cebu Party and Handumanan – Ayala Center Cebu’s annual welcome-back party for the balikbayans who have come home for the Sinulog festivities at The Terraces on 5pm, January 12.

UPDATED!

KAPUSO NIGHT featuring Jay-R, Rachelle Ann Go, Lovi Poe, Steven Silva, Isabel Oli, and Mark Herras at The Terraces on 5pm, Janaury 13.

KAPAMILYA FIESTA CARAVAN featuring Gerald Anderson, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Jayson Gainza, Kaye Abad, Pooh and Enchong Dee at The Terraces on 6p, January 14.

On SINULOG Day:

SomedayDream – 20 year-old budding artist Rez Toledo, behind last year’s most played OPM song, Hey Daydreamer, performs live at the Activity Center on 6pm, January 15.

Republiq Dance Party – The undisputed number 1 destination for nightlife in the Philippines makes its presence felt in Cebu at The Terraces on 8pm, January 15.

Grand Fireworks Display: Symphony of Fire by Dragon Fireworks – a pyromusical display by the country’s most trusted name in world-class fireworks, Dragon Fireworks, 9pm, January 15, Cebu Business Park

MALL HOURS for Sinulog weekend (January 13-15) have been EXTENDED! 10am-10pm

So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars and make the most of your Sinulog 2012 by spending it at any of the activities that Ayala Center Cebu has lined up for you, for a more FESTIVE-ALL Sinulog Celebration! Pit Senyor!