Sinulog Festival


Following a one night stopover Manila, I flew back to Cebu.  Why go back?  Although there is normally not much to see in the city, every January Cebu holds a massive festival called Sinulog.  Millions line the streets to watch a parade and party the day/night away.  Oddly enough, it is a Catholic holiday - what a perfect time to get drunk and party on the street!

Festivities start the week leading up to Sinulog, but the official events were on Saturday and Sunday, January 19-20.  I stayed with Kim, the same guy from Couch Surfing who had hosted me the first time I was in Cebu.  He also hosted two more Americans and their Filipina girlfriends.  Both of the Americans were Peace Corps volunteers, but one had finished and was studying in Dumaguete.  Kim's place was small, but we managed to fit all six of us with relative comfort.

The weekend events were exciting to experience, but maybe not as enthralling to read.  I'll just give you a brief rundown of the drunken revelry that took place.

Friday evening we went drinking (big surprise) in the central nightlife area known as Mango Square.  There you can find several clubs if you want to get your dance on.  Mango Square is also a great place to people watch - lots of dunks (foreigners and locals alike), prostitutes, and ladyboys, some of whom may also be prostitutes.  And for those of you who don't know, a ladyboy refers to someone who was born a man but dresses like a woman.  Many have had operations such as breast implants or facial surgery.  Who knows if they went for the full transformation?  Those surgeries cost a lot of money, especially for most Filipinos; lets just say I am glad that I can leave that question unanswered.

A group of Couch Surfing members were supposed to have a booze cruise on Saturday, but the water was too rough and boats were cancelled.  Instead we had a beach party, booze still included.  The event lasted all day and we were worn out by evening.  The six of us paced ourselves and drank rather responsibly.  Not so for some of the beach-goers - two guys bonged rum and then had to be sent to the hospital!  They were actually Filipinos and not tourists!  I'm glad that it wasn't a stupid gap year traveler giving us a bad name.

That evening we took it easy, preparing for the festivities the next day.  On Sunday there was a massive parade and street parties all over central Cebu.  We drank and danced the day away, just as the Catholic celebration calls for.  I felt like I was being a responsible drunk again, but when I saw the facebook pictures they told a different story!

Kim's other guests left on Monday, and I followed on Tuesday.  That evening I had a flight from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.  Stay tuned!

Here are a few pics from the festival:





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