Cebu is ready to welcome you once more with the recent easing of travel requirements to enter the island (check below). The pandemic has made us realize, among others, that more than material things, experiences and memories are more important, and an opportunity to create new moments to cherish has opened with the announcement of the I Love Cebu Online Travel Sale.

The 456th Fiesta Señor is kicking off in a few weeks, Sinulog 2021 will finally be on full swing! With the theme “Santo Niño: The Abiding Presence of the Father in our Journey of Faith”, the religious activities for the annual Sinulog festival will kick on January 8, 2021.

For your convenience, do take note that the Basilica will implement the one-way entry system and other COVID-19 protocols. Only residents of Cebu City are allowed to enter the vicinity of the Basilica. ALL Novena Masses are streamed on their Facebook page. BACKPACKS and other bulky bags are NOT ALLOWED so as not to delay the security inspection process.

Several activities like the Penitential Walk with Jesus, Penitential Walk with Mary, Traslacion (Cebu City to Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City), Fluvial Procession and Reenactment, and Solemn Procession are CANCELLED. As of the latest update, Traditional Sinulog dancing after the last Mass of the day is also CANCELLED. 

Check out the full schedule of novena masses below (SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR DOWNLOADABLE PHOTOS OF THE SCHEDULE):

The Sinulog Festival 2021 schedule is also available here.

DAY 1: January 8, 2021 (Friday) – OPENING SALVO

5:30AM – Enthronement of the Image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu
6:00AM – Opening Salvo Mass (Installation of Hermano and Hermana Mayores)

The country’s biggest festival, Sinulog 2021 is back once again this year with the theme: A New Life in Faith, Hope, and Love. One Beat. One Dance. One Vision. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected most of the activities lined up to celebrate the Feast of the Child Jesus, there are still several events, physical and virtual, scheduled to keep the festive spirit alive.

See below the full schedule of events and activities for Sinulog Festival 2021!
Meanwhile, you may also check the full schedule of Fiesta Senyor 2021 Novena Masses and other religious activities here.

January 1-31, 2021 – Sinulog One-Stop Shop at Ayala Center Cebu
January 3-10, 2021 – Sinulog Kick-Off “FUN RIDE” Virtual Bike Challenge

Formerly called the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and more recently Sinulog sa Barangay, here are the winners of the recently concluded Sinulog Tribu sa Kabataan 2020.

Best in Musicality:

1st Place: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P50,000)
2nd Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P35,000)
3rd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon (P25,000)
4th Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P15,000)
5th Place: Banay Budlaan of Barangay Budlaan (P10,000)

Best in Costume:

Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P50,000)

Best in Streetdancing:

1st Place: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P70,000)
2nd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P50,000)
3rd Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P30,000)
4th Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P20,000)
5th Place: Pundok Maampoong Cambihanon of Barangay Cambinocot (P10,000)

Best in Ritual Showdown:

GRAND CHAMPION: Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas (P400,000)

2nd Place: Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon (P350,000)

3rd Place: Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe (P300,000)

4th Place: Banay San Nicolas of Barangay San Nicolas Proper (P250,000)

5th Place: Banay Budlaan of Barangay Budlaan (P200,000)

6th Place: Pundok Maampoong Cambihanon of Barangay Cambinocot (P150,000)

7th Place: Tribu Mabolokon of Barangay Mabolo (P100,000)

Non-winners

Barangay Inayawan

Tribu Kinaiyahan

Barangay Sapangdaku

Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2020 Winners – Of Victories and Comebacks.

The reigning champion of the Sinulog-Based Category in Sinulog 2019 emerged as the top winner of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2020. Carcar City bagged top honors for Ritual Showdown, Best in Costume, Best in Musicality, and 2nd place for Best in Streetdancing.

Last year’s top contingent in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2019, Talisay City, settled for 2nd place for Ritual Showdown in this year’s edition, while also bagging 1st Place for Best in Streetdancing, and 2nd Place for Best in Musicality.

Meanwhile, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City has successfully made a comeback after a six-year absence in the Sinulog as it ended up as 3rd Place in Ritual Showdown, Musicality and Streetdancing. Check out the full list of winners below.

Best in Musicality:

1st Place: Carcar City (P50,000)
2nd Place: Talisay City (P35,000)
3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P25,000)
4th Place: Bogo City (P15,000)
5th Place: Toledo City (P10,000)

Best in Costume:

Carcar City (P50,000)

Best in Streetdancing:

1st Place: Talisay City (P70,000)
2nd Place: Carcar City (P50,000)
3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P30,000)

Best in Ritual Showdown:

GRAND CHAMPION: Carcar City (P400,000)

2nd Place: Talisay City (P350,000)

3rd Place: Lapu-Lapu City (P300,000)

4th Place: Bogo (P250,000)

5th Place: Toledo (P200,000)

6th Place: Ginatilan (P50,000)

In celebration of Cebu’s truly global festival, the Sinulog Festival, Cebu Parklane International Hotel opened earlier today Sugbuanong Bahandi, an exhibit featuring Cebuano art and fashion.

The exhibit features three elements:

Sugbuanong Obra, a Painting Exhibit by Ruel Rosello,

Linya Sugbuana, an Amano Collection by Dexter Alazas,

and Balaanong Gasa, a Display of Josie Pereyra’s Sto. Niño collection.

Check out the exhibit at the lobby of Parklane Hotel until January 31. Pit Señor!

If you’re in Cebu, the festive season doesn’t end on New Year, as it is extended to Sinulog! Maayo Hotel, Cebu’s only wellness hotel brings to life Cebuano culture and tradition as it ramps up its Sinulog 2020 activities.

Kumbira

What is a Cebuano celebration without food? Maayo Hotel prepares a feast of a wonderful culinary journey at Uma Restaurant in time for the Sinulog festival with Kumbira: A Cebuano Heritage Cuisine Feast. Enjoy the different featured dishes from around Cebu to your heart’s content! The feast is available until Sunday, January 19 for P750 net per person for lunch and P870 net per person for dinner. Check out some of the sumptuous dishes below.

Capture the ritual prayer dance and music to celebrate the Sinulog festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño and catch Mandaue City School for the Arts Dance Troupe at Maayo Hotel’s main lobby on Saturday, January 18 from 1:00PM-3:00PM and 6:00PM-8:00PM and on Sunday, January 19 from 7:00AM-9:00AM.

Illuminate

Light up the night and dress to illuminate in neon or white at Maayo Hotel’s annual Sinulog Roof Deck party this coming January 18, Saturday. Dance the night away with some of the renowned DJs in the metro. Have a glowing-good time together with your friends and family. Tickets are sold for P300 net per person with a round of drink while Open Bar tickets are sold at P1,100 net per person.

For reservations and inquiries, you may call Maayo Hotel at (+63 32) 517 0200 or follow them on their social media pages on FB and IG @maayohotels

Tourism Operators Unite in Region 7 or TOURS7, a group of 30 members (as of counting) with the aim of fostering camaraderie and shared learning in its industry, is organizing its first ever travel fair in its six-year history dubbed as Byahe ‘ta Bai on September 13-15, 2019 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Due to the success of such event in Manila, and the insistent demand of the Cebuanos, Klook is bring the Klook Travel Fest for the first time in Cebu, as part of celebrations for their 2nd anniversary in the Philippines!

There is no denying that the Cebu Lechon is the best and most delicious there is, and that no trip to the Queen City of the South will be complete without taking a bite of its famed crunchy golden brown skin, and juicy, tender, and flavorsome meat.