Tiny Miracles Happen Because We Believe in Him

We all know that the Sinulog happened last week, and before all that celebration, there was a nine-day novena and also a procession before that. It has been said that if you wish for something and complete the novena, your wish will come true. I did have a wish and I completed the novena. It's not that I only completed it to get my wish granted, I have been doing this since I was in college. I never want to miss the novena and do my best to complete it as much as possible. So back to where I was. This year I asked Snr. Santo Niño to help me raise money to be able to go to Abu Dhabi for work. That was what I most of the time asked for. Please help me raise enough amount so I could work outside the country and help my parents. My dad is sick you know. I just prayed and I never really asked him to give it to me right away. I just prayed but was not expecting anything to happen right away.

After Sinulog, about 2 days after, I emailed my Aunt Helen. I appealed for help. I have been appealing for help from her many years ago so I could go abroad and she always turns me down because she herself also has some financial obligations at home. Her son is in college and tuition fees are expensive. So she had no extra money. So I emailed her, told her stuff and also appealed for help. Maybe Snr. Santo Niño knows how desperate I am right now, he granted me a miracle. My Aunt Helen agreed to let me borrow money so I could start processing my papers and also buy plane tickets once my papers are complete. It's a miracle! Before, I used to think that I am never gonna be able to go abroad because I don't have any money. I used to think desperately that I am stuck. I used to feel so helpless about our family's situation. But He changed all that. He granted me my wish and He made me the happiest person ever. Now I have started processing my paper. I am just waiting for the Department of Foreign Affairs to release it.

This is it! I think I am going abroad. I went to Santo Niño church that day when I got the news. I thanked Him for everything. I promised that once I am working abroad, I will try my best to be able to go home every Sinulog. I also promised him to carry out my dream. One day I will be building my own foundation and I will make a difference... One day... Just taking it one step at a time right now..

Sinulog 2012 Winners

It was a very fun Sinulog, wasn't  it? Yes it was! Even though I did not stay long, I enjoyed it so much. I saw so many people from different places. They were everywhere.

So if you ever wondered who won in Sinulog? The Sinulog 2012 winner are.. drum roll.. Wait! Just look at the list below. Credits goes to Sunstar and Cebu Daily News

FLOAT
1ST- IPI
2ND- M. LHULLIER
3RD- ROSE PHARMACY

SINULOG BASED CATEGORY
1ST- CULTURANG PLACERENO with MASBATE DANCE COMPANY
2ND- TANGUB CITY- SINANDULOY CULTURAL TROUPE
3RD- CITY OF CARCAR
4TH- STA. CATALINA, NEGROS ORIENTAL
5TH- ABELLANA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

BEST IN COSTUME

CULTURANG PLACERENO

FREE INTERPRETATION
1ST- TRIBU LINGGANAY- ALANG-ALANG, LEYTE
2ND- TRIBU HIMAG-ULAW- PLACER, MASBATE
3RD- KARATONG FESTIVAL OF DULAG, LEYTE
4TH- LUMAD BASAKANON- CEBU
5TH- TOLEDO NATIONAL HIGH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

BEST IN COSTUME

TRIBU LINGGANAY- ALANG-ALANG, LEYTE

BEST IN MUSICALITY
SINULOG BASE - CULTURANG PLACERENO

FREE INTERPRETATION - TRIBU LINGGANAY

STREET DANCING

1ST- CITY OF CARCAR
2ND- TANGUB CITY
3RD- CULTURANG PLACERENO

VISUAL MERCHANDISING
1ST- ELIZABETH MALL
2ND- GAISANO COUNTRY MALL
3RD- GAISANO MAIN

ON SITE DECOR
1ST- ST. CECILIA’S COLLEGE INC.
2ND- BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
3RD- SOUTHERN PARTNERS AND FAIR TRADE CENTER

PUPPETTER CATEGORY
1ST- ANGELIQUE MAE ARANAS
2ND- GIOVANNI ABOS
3RD- UC MAIN ANIMATION

HIGANTE CATEGORY
1ST- LAPU-LAPU- ARNULFO ENJAMBRE
2ND- MAGELLAN- ARNULFO ENJAMBRE
3RD- PRINCESS

SINULOG FESTIVAL QUEEN

APRIL D. SMITH OF LUMAD BASAKANON

I am a frustrated photographer. I will just be posting some of my pictures later once I have time to look at my shots from my camera. Meanwhile, I have some nice Sinulog pictures on a slide show at the side of this blog. Credits goes to the respective owners.

I will be posting my own pics sooner. :)

Sorry guys but my pics from Picasa Cannot be posted. I just posted random pics from Flicker on the slide show.

Sinulog Schedules

Hello everyone. I did a search of the schedules for this weekend's Sinulog Party. I compiled everything that I found. This is not complete though but I hope you find this helpful.

January 13, 2012 (Friday) Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)

4:00 AM Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño
9:00 AM Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent /Floats / Higante / Puppteeters Cebu City Sports Center Gym
5:00 PM Sinulog Best Dance Crew Grand Finals
5:00 PM The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu Kapuso Night featuring top GMA Stars

6:00 PM Sinulog Musicfest Band Competition Grand Finals
6:30 PM Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña)
7:00 PM Musical Fireworks Display at JCenter Mall sa A.S fortuna

7:30 P.M Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum
7:30 P.M Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Cebu City Sports Center
8:00 PM Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
8:00 PM Sinulog Sound Series 2012 (Bazaar and Concert) at Cebu Business Park, at the

back of CIC Main. 150Php with Lots Of Freebies Featuring: Foc Fashion | Powerspoonz | Sugbuanon | Nikie J | Franco

 9:00 PM Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña , Street Party Bands

January 14, 2012 (Saturday)

6:00 AM Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

9:00 AM Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah
Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño
2:00 PM Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
4:00 Sinulog Blast Off 2012!

Gates open at 4PM!
Cebu Grand Convention Center
Tickets at P350

20 Action packed bands in one stage for the biggest annual music mayhem in Cebu!

Featuring:
Urbandub, Faspitch, The Ambassadors, Typecast, Taken By Cars, Salamin, Powerspoonz, Curbside, The Line Divides, Who’s Next?, An Honest Mistake (Malaysia), Rocket Rockers (Indonesia), Kelevra and many more!!!

5:00 PM The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu Kapamilya Fiesta Caravan featuring top talents of ABS-CBN

7:00 PM Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu
7:00 PM Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
8:00 PM Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

8:00 PM  Angeline Quinto Live in Sinulog at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Cebu City

With special guests
Richard Poon, Jovit Baldivino, Khalil Ramos, Piolo Pascual

Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino, Lahug, Cebu
14 January 2012 Saturday 8:00PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT SM CEBU CINEMA TICKET BOOTH

January 15, 2012 (Sunday) SINULOG GRAND PARADE

4:00 AM Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño
5PM Ayala Activity Center Astrovision brings in nationally acclaimed artist, Somedaydream

6:00 AM Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
9:00 AM Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
7:00 PM Grand Finale and Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30 PM Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

8:00 PM Sinulog Sound Series 2012 (Concert and Bazaar) at Sumilon Rd., Cebu

Business Park, at the back of CIC Main. 150Php with Lots of Freebies Featuring:

GENERAL LUNA | Kelevra of Jack Daniels Chosen 7) | Ayala Center Cebu's

Sinulog Fireworks | DJ Misty from Singapore

8:00 PM The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu Republiq @ The Terraces, experience

Sinulog Dance Party like never before hosted by the Country’s No.1 Party

Destination, Republiq

There you have it folks. It's gonna be a fun Sinulog for all of us. I hope everyone enjoys! And oh, PLDT will be providing free wifi access to most of the areas of the Sinulog street dance routes. So keep updating your social networking accounts!

Where to Possibly Get a Good Parking Space near Basilica del Sto. Niño

Do you want to attend mass in Sto. NiÑo but is hesitant to go there because it's hard to get parking spaces? I have a few spots for you here.

Borromeo St. There is this paid parking area at the back of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and it is also at the back of the Borromeo Plaza Building. Parking is only for 10 pesos per hour and you are pretty sure your car is in good hands. You can see the picture of Borromeo Plaza below. The parking space is at the back.

Toyota. There is a showroom for Toyota near Legazpi St. After office hours, that place is free for parking already. Look at the map below. Letter A is exactly where Toyota is.

 

Gasoline Station. I actually forgot if it was Caltex or Petron. Most likely it's Petron coz they were wearing red uniforms. Anyway, they have converted their free space to a parking lot. You pay 50 for the entire duration of your stay. It's a little expensive but they actually also look after your car. Since I could not remember the name of the place, I have search the place near it and just marked the spot with a red X.

There you have it folks. Going there on a jeepney is less hassle but it's also nice to have a car in case it rains hard and don't have to go far to get a ride.

Procession Re-routing

I know I have posted a route map of the coming procession in one my of my previous posts. I am very sorry for the inconvenience. It is not the right route. There has been some major changes in the route of the procession this coming Saturday and I have tried my best to try searching for that new route map. Here it is:

Sinulog 2012 Procession Route

I think we are already very familiar with the place. It will start at the front gate of the Sr. Sto. Nino church and towards the Fuente Circle using the Fuente Osmena Blvd. road then turns right to Mango/Gen. Maxilum Avenue. It stretches all the way towards Careta Cemetery and another right towards Lurega. Then we need to turn left to M.J. Cuenco Avenue stretching towards Cebu Technological University and then turning right into F. Undaneta St. (this is at the back to Patria de Cebu). Then once you see the Cathedral Church, we turn left and straight towards the Sto. Nino Church.

Again I am sorry for my previous post. It was changed. The Sinulog schedule remains the same though.

Excited for The Sinulog 2012 Festivals

I can't tell you enough how excited I am for the Sinulog festival. I attended mass today and I felt so happy seeing a lot of devotees when I attended mass this afternoon. It's that time of year where everyone goes out to see the presentations of different groups from different places in the Philippines. This afternoon we rented seats outside the church because we could not get in anymore due to overcrowding. Even outside, it was also crowded but we held on. This has been my promise to Sr. Sto. Nino. I will never miss a day for  his novena. I will complete and then celebrate like it's my birthday on grand parade's day.

I am just so happy that I am still here to celebrate with the people in this year's Sinulog festival.

Getting to the Photo Contest is Expensive

I have never celebrated Sinulog when I was growing up. I only began to appreciate it when I was in college when I started college. My school was just near the church and I got to attend the novenas. Then about three years ago, I started to celebrate it with my friends and I am enjoying it.

This year I think it's gonna be great. My friends and I decided to rent a room. Well, we have not reserved it yet because our favorite place does not accept reservations. We would have to walk in there on Saturday the 15th and rent a room for two days. Hopefully we could get one. I am staying positive. 

I have already search the venues and events for this coming Sinulog 2012 so we would know where to go. A good way to get good seats on the streets in to rent a stall and pretend you are gonna sell something. That will guarantee you front seats on the side walk. There is also one other thing. You can register to become an official photographer for Sinulog and you could get access to all the events. I mean inside the events. However I would have to comment on the fees for it though. I costs a thousand pesos to register. It's per head. I would have been good if it's for two. I called up the number for the Sinulog Foundation office at (6332)253-3700 and found out that for your one thousand pesos, you are only gonna get a shirt and an ID. Then you get to submit entries for the Photo contests that's gonna give away thousands.  But it's so expensive. They are not even gonna give away vests anymore. I would have registered for it even if I don't want to submit photos. But it's just so expensive. I will just have to find a different way to have fun that day.

Procession 2012 Route Map

For most of us who has been attending this event, we already know the route. It's just the same as last year's route. Please don't forget to bring umbrella and some candy in case it rains or in case hunger suddenly strikes.

Sinulog 2012 Schedule of Activities

Sinulog 2012 Schedule of Activities

(Fuente Osmena, January 2-31, 2012)

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Dec 01 – Jan 31, 2012

Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Blvd.

December 11, 2011

2nd Sinulog Cup Baseball Tournament c/o Cebu City Sports Commission

December 12, 2011

Sinulog on the Spot Painting Contest @ Fort San Pedro

December 16, 2011

Launching and Sinulog Photo Exhibits @SM City

December 17, 2011

Sinulog Poster Making Contest @ Emall

December 30, 2011

Sinulog 2012 Fun Run

December 30, 2011

Sinulog Best Dance Crew Elimination

December 30, 2011

Sinulog Musicfest Elimination

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January 05, 2012 (Thursday)

Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus

4:00 AM

Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña

4:30 AM

Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño

5:30 AM

Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2012

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January 06, 2012 (Friday)

Sinulog 2012 Kick Off

2:00PM

Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño) sponsored by the Sinulog Foundation Inc and Cebu City government

3:00 PM

Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)

7:00 PM

Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña

7:30 PM

Ms. Cebu 2012 Presentation @ Fuente stage

9:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

10:00 PM

Streen Party Bands

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January 7, 2012 (Saturday)

Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan

8:00 AM

2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission

1:00 PM

Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center

2:00 PM

Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 PM

Awarding of Winners

6:30 PM

Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu Province Division

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 8, 2012 (Sunday)

Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan

4:00 AM

Cebu City 2012 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com

8:00 AM

2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission

1:00 PM

Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center

2:00 PM

Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center

4:30 PM

Awarding of Winners

6:30 PM

Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña)

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

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January 9, 2012 (Monday)

6:30 PM

Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Southern Philippines, Cebu Institute of Technology University, St. Paul’s College Foundation

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)

6:30 PM

Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña)

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 11, 2012 (Wednesday)

9:00 AM

Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

6:30 PM

Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu City Division

7:00 PM

Ms. Cebu 2012 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 11-22, 2012

Sinulog Fiesta “OTOP Fair 2012″ Atrium A & B SM City Cebu Organized by Department of Trade & Industry -Cebu

January 12, 2012 (Thursday)

9:00 AM

Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

10:00 AM

Sinulog Festival Queen 2012 Photo Shoot

6:30 PM

Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Salazar Colleges of Science Institute of Technology, Cebu Normal University, Asian College of Technology

6:00 PM

Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu

8:00 PM

Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)

8:00 PM

Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 13, 2012 (Friday)

Visual Merchandising Contest
(Dept. Stores and Malls)

4:00 AM

Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño

9:00 AM

Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent /
Floats / Higante / Puppteers) @ Cebu City Sports Center Gym

5:00 PM

Sinulog Best Dance Crew Grand Finals

6:30 PM

Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Jose Recoletos, Southwestern University, Cebu Technological University

7:30 P.M

Metro Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum

7:30 P.M

Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Cebu City Sports Center

9:00 PM

Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

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January 13-15, 2012

9:00 AM

Devotees’ City organized by Cebu City Government

January 14, 2012 (Saturday)

6:00 AM

Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

9:00 AM

Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño

12:00 PM

8TH “THE STREET VIBRATION & BIG BIKE RALLY 2012, by V-max Owner’s Group, Inc. Cebu Chapter

2:00 PM

Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

7:00 PM

Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu

7:00 PM

Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia

8:00 PM

Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

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January 15, 2012 (Sunday)

SINULOG GRAND PARADE

4:00 AM

Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño

6:00 AM

Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal

9:00 AM

Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off

7:00 PM

Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center

7:30 PM

Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

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January 16, 2012 (Monday)

1:00 PM

Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

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January 20, 2012 (Friday)

“HUBO”

4:00 AM

“HUBO Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño

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January 21-22, 2012

CEBU CHESS FESTIVAL – “WORLD’S LARGEST CHESS TOURNAMENT” @ the Cebu City Sports Center

January 28, 2012 (Saturday)

1:00 P.M

Screening of Finaslists Short Film/Video Documentary Contest

1:30 P.M

Sinulog 2012 Winning Photo Exhibits

6:00 P.M

Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest @SM City Cebu

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January 28 – Feb. 10, 2012

Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘10 @SM City Cebu

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For more information: Contact Us at 253700, 2545010, telefax 4164548

My Thoughts on the Sinulog Festival

When you live in the province, you are almost always away from civilization. I mean, behind all the happenings in the city. Plus, if you are young, you would not care. This is what happened to me. I was born in the province. I grew away from the city. I never new what Sinulog was or at least what it is all about. When I was young, I never bother to ask my parents to bring me to the city to witness that event. I just glance at the TV, move on with my day and does not bother to go for a second look. It was never that significant.

Now I am older, I took my secondary and college education here in the city and I have began to experience the city life. I have witnessed how the people get excited about certain events especially on the annual Sinulog festival. But I also saw a lot of people that are in the excitement just for the showbiz stars that will show up on their floats. They only celebrate to go to bars and get drunk. They don't really know what this event is all about.

For my 10 years stay in the city, I have seen all the beautiful places in here. I have observed what the people are all about. I have seen the through essence of this very beautiful event. The purpose of this even is to honor our Patron Saint Sr. Sto. Nino. He is the first Saint that has been introduced to us in the Philippines. He is the symbol of Christianity in the Philippines. We can honor him by dancing during the grand parade, we could go attend his novena everyday and join the procession. After doing that, we can then celebrate with friends, get drunk or something.

So tomorrow marks the opening Salvo for the Sr. Sto. Nino. Let's all attend mass. Do it every day if possible. I will. I will be waking up early in the morning so I could attend mass before going to work.