The annual Sinulog Festival, a vibrant celebration honouring the child Jesus (Santo Niño), will be held in Macau this Sunday, organised by the Santo Niño de Cebu in Macau Association.
The local celebration is an iteration of the major festival held each year in Cebu, southern Philippines, and has been organised in Macau since 2003. It is held annually on the third Sunday of January.
The parade, which is the highlight of the event, will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Praça da Amizade, commonly known as Sintra Square. Revellers will make their way to Avenida Dr. Mário Soares (蘇亞利斯博士大馬路) and Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van (南灣湖景大馬路), before returning to the square.
In response to an enquiry by the Post about Sunday’s event, a representative from the association noted that the programme will include a street dance competition starting in Sintra Square that will last about an hour, before returning to the same location for a final stage performance and awards ceremony at 4 p.m.
The organiser noted that there will be three competing contingents, with the event slated to conclude at 7 p.m.
“Sinulog” is derived from the Cebuano word “Sulog”, which means water current movement. It refers to the ritual prayer dance honouring Santo Niño (“Holy Child”) and is reminiscent of the water current movement, according to a report by the Post last year. It is done to the drumming of Sinulog beats.
The event has free admission. For further details, the public can contact the organising association through its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/santoninomacau/.
Dancers wearing traditional garb during last year’s Sinulog Macau Festival get ready for action.– Photo: Rui Pastorin
