Not Writing about Writing

Sinulog festival: one beat, one dance, one vision.
(photo credit: bashblues.albolio.com)

Allow me to go off-topic today. I shan't be writing about writing or making money online. It's a Sunday after all and in the story of creation, it's the day that God designated for rest. Hmmm... I hope "rest" doesn't include some tinsy-winsy blogging!

The rain, the power outage and the water interruption conspired together to keep my husband and me home. We spent the day with the cats. (A visit to the church is a given. See my previous post to unravel the mystery.) It was only in the late afternoon that we were able to catch the live TV coverage of the street dance and the dance showdown on stage. I've just lengthened my non-attendance of the Sinulog festival by one year more (oh dear).

2 steps forward and  1 step backward. Bringing the image of Senior Sto. Nino,
this girl in colorful garb danced in the streets and all the way to the stage.
(photo credit: bashblues.albolio.com)

The pictures you see above are published with the knowledge and permission of Bashir Jr. Baddong. Viewing his shots is probably like being out in the streets yourself - minus the rain and the crowd. I think they're awesome!

Every Writer's Prayer to Senior Sto. Nino

Many of the writers based in Cebu will be away from the computer tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day that the city shouts, "Viva, Pit Senior!" and celebrates Sinulog - the feast of the Senior Sto. Nino. A dance ritual that runs in sync with the beating of drums marks the festival, but the highlight of it all is the Senior Sto. Nino himself - the Child Jesus. 

photo credit: Juily Q of shopaliexpress.com

As one writer aptly blogged, the Cebuano people consider the Sinulog as the finale of the Christmas season. Interestingly, the name of the festival drew inspiration not from the Child Jesus, but from the Cebuano word "sinulog." The latter comes from the root word "sulog" which means (a river's) "current" and which inspired the dance steps of the ritual.

In my years of stay in Cebu, never have I witnessed the Sinulog Festival live. This year would be a little different. Hubby wants me to get up early and attend mass with him. What comes after that yet has to be discussed. The thought of jostling with the throngs of devotees and curious onlookers frightened me.