Sinulog Festival hits the streets to promote peace amidst chaos

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

The 26th annual Sinulog Festival 2026 took to the streets of Macau yesterday, starting at Sintra Square (Praça da Amizade), with three contingent groups competing in ritual dance contests to the same rhythmic beat for prizes worth thousands.

The Sinulog Festival is a traditional cultural and religious celebration originating in Cebu, Philippines, held every January in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus).

It’s one of the Philippines’ most famous festivals, blending faith, dance, music, and vibrant street parades.

Peace amidst the chaos

Speaking with the Times, Violeta Duran, president of the Santo Niño de Cebu in Macau Association, said this year’s festival aims to bring peace amid national struggles in the Philippines. “The intention is very special. Right now, the Philippines is in chaos. We all know there are many problems there, like flood control and other issues. The goal is to show peace to the world despite ongoing corruption.”

[Photo; Ricaela Diputado]

The president explained that Sinulog is a dance that expresses thanksgiving and petitions for peace, love, or healing, which the political state of her home country needs. “We have more intentions in our prayers regarding the peace of our country. Those in the Philippines are suffering from widespread corruption.”

According to her, more than 600 people, including tourists, attended this year’s Sinulog festival at the square, with some asking for free food, as the event did prior to the pandemic. “There are a lot of tourists watching this event, and some were even asking for food because three years ago, we gave free lunches. Now, the government doesn’t allow it due to the pandemic.”

Shortened preparations

This year’s preparation was shorter than in previous years, starting last July through August, and the usual raffle draw was omitted due to lack of time and hectic planning. “We cannot just have a raffle draw and sell tickets without government permission. We canceled the tickets this year, but next year we will have it,” Duran said.

She expressed joy recalling the start of the Sinulog tradition with her family in Macau. “Very, very happy. Devotion to Santo Niño. It really started with my family, my brothers, who are residents here. Then, because the allied community company was owned by my late brother, it started there.”

When asked how Sinulog has changed over 23 years, she noted, “Sinulog changed because the concept of the dancers and groups is based on reality – on what is happening in the world now. So, we ask ourselves, how can we make it better to express it to the people? How can we find a way to help or solve problems?”

[Photo; Ricaela Diputado]

She concluded, “We may seem like a very big association with many devotees, but only a few are committed. My feeling is that when we have a gathering like this, we can feel like we are in the Philippines. We minimize our homesickness and stress, at least for a short time. It also gives hope to those who are hopeless. Many people here, especially domestic helpers, are suffering from tribulations in the Philippines related to their families. You know what happens when families are separated. It’s very difficult to adjust.”

Unity in faith

Father Filipe Bacalso, speaking to the media about what Sinulog means to the Filipino community in Macau, said, “Sinulog for the Macau people is an extension of the celebration back in the Philippines, especially Cebu. It’s a religious activity but also includes cultural presentations like street dancing, a queen, and so on. It’s meant to honor the Infant Jesus.”

He continued, “For Filipinos here in Macau, it’s a way to say thank you for all the blessings they have received over the year and in past years, through beautiful dancing and costumes.”

Fr. Bacalso stated that this year’s theme is unity in faith. He hopes Macau’s Filipinos will be united by one faith and will extend it to other groups, not just Filipinos. “The Philippines has a very rich culture. It’s a great opportunity for cultural exchange.”

Togetherness in one beat

The local Filipino community in Macau came together with their respective organizations to participate in this year’s festival, with the theme focusing on ‘one beat, one dance, one vision for peace and unity,’ said Adelina Pano, a committee member of the Santo Niño de Cebu in Macau Association.

Speaking to the Times, she said this tradition is all about togetherness, especially for those devoted to Santo Niño. “All the dancers here dance out of their devotion to Santo Niño.”

[Photo; Ricaela Diputado]

For preparation, usually it takes six months, including applying to the government. We need a lot of documentation, renewal of the association, informing the diocese, security from the police, and a government permit.

According to the association member, there were roughly 200 dancers across all three contingent groups this year, two fewer than the previous year, who all prepared on their own over about three months. Fewer groups competed due to lack of preparation time.

She continued, “For the dancers, preparation usually occurs in October, November, and December. It takes about three months of nightly practice. They have different story themes for their dances. They don’t just dance, but all dance to the same music.”

Pano said dancers fund themselves, requiring significant effort to gather participants. “It takes budgets and money, and they have to gather dancers because they are all workers.”

She added, “They have their associations. This is all their own package. They also do charity to raise funds for costumes.”

She confirmed the festival is supported by the Santo Niño de Cebu in Macau Association, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), and TDM.

Contingents and short preparation

Besides the contingent groups, the choir from Mt. Carmel Church in Taipa has participated in Sinulog since 2003, following the competing groups in the parade that led to Av. Dr. Mário Soares and Av. Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, returning eventually to the starting point.

Orient Premier Tribe, a 37-member contingent and the 2024 and 2025 grand champion, also participated. According to the group’s president, Liberty Polvos, preparation took less than a month due to busy schedules. “This time we just rented because we have no time. It’s from our choreographer.”

Another contingent, The Heart of Filipino Services, arrived with handmade costumes prepared in about a month.

Speaking on the sidelines, the president said, “Our team constructed all their own dresses. We buy and create everything, including all details and even the shoes. The choreography is also done by them.”

She added, “The budget comes from themselves or contributions from friends. They are willing to dance, and some friends help with expenses. It’s a lot, but they are willing as long as they are dancing for Santo Niño.”

On the sidelines

Attendees shared their reasons for watching the festival. A Filipina holding a small Santo Niño statue said, “In my 16 years here in Macau, this is my first time at the Sinulog Festival and my first time holding the patron saint.”

Another Filipina said, “My first time watching. We danced last year but didn’t participate this year due to lack of practice time.”

A veteran association member added, “We’ve supported Sinulog since the 1980s, including financially. We are excited to see the performers and hope everyone will support Sinulog every year. This is very important to us.” Ricaela Diputado