Key Points
- The annual Feast of Sto Niño in Cebu City, Philippines is celebrated every third Sunday of January.
- It attracts between one million to 15 million people each year.
- Across Australia, Filipino Christians, like those in Central Coast and Wyong, NSW, replicate the Sinulog festival.
Team Bonitu of Central Coast poses after their dance performance for the Sinulog Festival in Tumbi Umbi NSW on January 15. Credit: Josephine Sicad-Minerva
'A little piece of home away from home'
Central Coast siblings Lorenzo, Jose and Gabriel Saavedra actively volunteer in their local church services - either as event participants or singing in the choir.
Lorenzo remembers the Sinulog festival in Cebu City fondly.
The young Saavedras consider themselves devotees of the Sto Niño, a commitment they have inherited from their father, whose family back in Cebu City in the Philippines are strong believers of the Child Jesus.
"Every year, there is Sinulog and I'm quite familiar with it. The most vivid memories that I have are: attending mass, and then you go to the city and you see the parades and everything. Or you watch it on television," the eldest, Lorenzo reminisces.
The Sinulog is a popular Filipino festival held every third Sunday of January to celebrate and honour the Sto. Niño.
Sinulog, comes from the Cebuano word sulog, which roughly means "like water current movement". It is a ritual prayer dance.
The 22-year-old University of New South Wales (UNSW) student feels privileged that he and his siblings are able to take part in a church activity that is close to their hearts.
"Even if it's not normalised everywhere, at least there's a space in Australia where it's familiar for you. It's like a little piece of home away from home."
The Saavedra brothers, (from left), Gabriel (youngest), Lorenzo (eldest), and Jose - consider themselves young devotees of the Sto Nino which was passed on to them by their parents. Credit: SBS Filipino/A Violata
Regional culture and faith
"For me as a Cebuano, [celebrating Sinulog] is a way for me to preserve my culture and to strengthen your faith."
Lorenzo adds that it would be a shame to forget a culture that is part of your being.
Despite growing up in Australia, the Saavedra boys have experienced the Cebuano festivities as they would regularly participate in Sinulog events hosted by the Filipino community in several areas in New South Wales.
Members of the Filipino community in Wyong and Central Coast in NSW perform the ritual prayer and dance in honour of the Child Jesus or Sto Nino. Credit: Josie Dangca (on Facebook)
"We are thankful that even if we are in Australia, our elders are showing the younger generations the environment and opportunities where the Filipino culture and religion can be fostered."
The Saavedra's matriarch, Ched, acknowledges that for elders to pass on the tradition, they have to teach their children consciously.
"For kids growing up in Australia to keep their dedication to Sto Niño, you have to have a routine at home."
Mrs Saavedra appreciates the benefits of her children's devotion to faith.
"They are guided. They know the right choices from wrong."
Beyond religion
say the Sinulog Festival began in 1521 honouring Sto Nino - an image of the Child Jesus is said to be a baptismal gift given by the Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humanon and his wife Hara Humanay of Zebu (now Cebu) in April 1521.
Images of the Child Jesus or Sto Nino owned by members of the Filipino community in Central Coast and Wyong region during the mass prior to the festivities last Sunday, January 15 in Tumbi Umbi NSW. Credit: Josie Dangca
The Cebu City festival also promotes tourism in the city and neighbouring towns as it attracts millions of people to the Visayas region to experience the Sinulog.
People wearing grand costumes for the parade fill the colourful streets.
Groups of parade participants wear colourful costumes that fill the streets during the grand parade. Credit: S Ricardo
Celebrations also take part in Mindanao, in places such as General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Pagadian in Zamboanga, Surigao, Balingasag in Misamis Oriental.
Tondo in Manila also joins in on the festivities.
Communities unite
In Australia, various Filipino groups, like the Wyong Shire Filipino-Australian Devotees' Celebration of Faith, host the Feast of Sto Niño.
"For those Filipino Christians outside the Philippines, it's a celebration of faith and community," points out Peps Burlat, vice-president of the Australian Filipino Association of Central Coast.
Burlat adds that apart from faith, there's a deeper connection among many Sto Niño devotees.
"Most of them hail from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
"Cultural events such as Sinulog bring the community together in celebration."
The Sinulog Festival honours the Child Jesus or Sto Nino. Credit: SBS Filipino/A Violata
'Grandest festival in the Philippines'
It is believed that the first Sinulog Festival was held in the 16th century in Cebu City in honour of Sto Nino or the Child Jesus.
Over the years, neighbouring towns in the Visayas and Mindanao regions adopted the annual Sinulog festivity.
Every year, the festival routinely attracts between one to 15 million people to witness the colourful 10-day event.
"I'm originally from Surigao in Mindanao, but we also celebrate Sinulog there even if we're far from Cebu City," Peps Burlat of Central Coast shares.
