Arts & Culture

Sinug ug Sinulog: Exploring The Two Dance Forms

“Culture is what sets man apart from the rest of Kingdom Animalia and that the best expression of culture is thru the dance.” – Ceasar Nimor

The famous festival dance was given attention in another Casa Gorordo Museum Talk on the 16th of January. The lecture focused on the origin of the Sinug and Sinulog dance forms.

Turang Dance Troupe

Sinu’og or Sinu’g is an ancient Cebuano ritual, a survivor of indigenous dance ritual despite three hundred years of Spanish domination. It was mentioned in the CGM Talk that the acceptance of Christianity is not the only factor of where the dance form came from because even before that the natives already practiced the certain rituals for their gods and goddesses of nature. In fact, the natives did not even know that they were accepting a new religion. They considered Sto. Nino as one of their pagan gods.

One of the speakers was Ceasar F. Nimor, he’s a retired Assistant Professor handling Biological and Earth Sciences, Research, Health and Kinetics at the College of Teacher Education and subjects at the Graduate School Department and Senior High School Arts and Design Track at the University of Cebu-Main. He is a Zoologist with a Master’s Degree in Teaching – Science (MAT-S) from Southwestern University.

Being a product of Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, he has ease and familiarity with Visayan and Mindanao cultures.

He has been a folk dancer since grade school to college and over thirty years of ethnographic research in various hinterlands of the Visayas and Mindanao from which he documented traditional dances that had been performed and taught at the Annual Folk Dance Workshop for Teachers of the Philippine Folk Dance Society (PFDS). He has also been able to learn and gather traditional dances and folklore of the other nine Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations during his annual self-funded trips.

Another one was Mila Catelo-Janson who comes from Surigao del Norte is a retired Physical Education and Graduate School professor of the Cebu Normal University. Aside from teaching then, until today, she has the interest in going on field in search of unpublished folk dances.

She was the choreographer of the Cebu Normal University Dance Troupe until her retirement.

She is presently a member of the Board of Directors of the Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng mga Katutubong Sayaw ng Pilipinas (Philippine Folk Dance Society) – National Chapter and Adviser of the Cebu Colleges and Universities Choreographers Association (CCUCA).

Madame Mila believes that “The more we learn about our cultural heritage, the more powerful our reasons for cooperating with and respecting each other as one people.” This is the reason why searching for endangered traditions and sharing these to everyone inspire her to conduct research.

What people have been taught about the history of Sinulog is commonly when the Ferdinand Magellan arrived and presented the image of Sto. Nino to Rajah Humabon. After that, him along with the other natives were baptized to the Roman Catholic Church. Hara Humamay (Amihan and later named Queen Juana), danced with the image and the other tribe members followed. This was considered the first Sinulog.

Tha dance steps are known to be from Humabon’s adviser, Baladhay, where he saw a little child dancing when he was sick. The child tried to tickle him with coconut leaf. This is why the dance is sometimes called Sayaw ni Baladhay– where the steps are like movements of the river or more commonly the forward, one-step backward dance step.

And from that stories, it resulted to different versions of the Sinulog like Votive Sinug and the Combative Sinug.

Votive Sinug is actually the dance for prayer– the one we see in Sto. Niño Basillica Minore, where the dancers carry candles and say a prayer. While the Combative Sinug is more of a story of the battle and the acceptance of Christianity. This is usually performed by the Turang Dance Troupe.

Demonstration by the Turang Dance Troupe

What we see during festivals are the combination of the two dance forms– always evolving and adapting from the costumes and the mix of contemporary elements.

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Arts & Culture

Art Fair Philippines 2025: A Celebration of Creativity

by Emcee Go

Art Fair Philippines 2025 transformed the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City into a dynamic showcase of contemporary and modern art. From February 21 to 23, art enthusiasts and collectors were treated to an eclectic mix of visual masterpieces, interactive installations, and thought-provoking exhibits.

This year’s fair features an impressive lineup of local and international galleries, including renowned names like Leon Gallery, Metro Gallery, Orange Project, J Studio and from Cebu, Qube Gallery.

Francis Dravigny’s woven artworks was one of the two featured artists at Qube Gallery’s well curated exhibition.

Qube Gallery’s Mariz Holopainen in front of Sio Montera’s abstracts.

Arts & Culture

Cebuano Pride: The National Museum of Cebu

Pride of Cebu

By Eva Gullas

photos courtesy of DOT

“With the National Museum of Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the country, we open the doors to a temple in history and culture, inviting tourists and locals to witness our archaeological and natural treasures. The NMP-Cebu is not just a museum but a bridge to our past and a window into our future,” declares Christina Frasco, our Secretary of Tourism, at the ceremonial opening last July 28.

Located at the heart of the city’s historic port area, the former colonial Customs House, built in 1910, was transformed into an elegant edifice worthy of the city’s place in history. It was in Cebu where the Spanish conquistadors first landed in 1521 and where Magellan met his end at the hands of the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. Starting August 1, the National Museum of Cebu will open its doors daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday.

Cebu City Tourism’s Neil Odjigue, Cembeth Hortillano and CCTC Chairperson Joy Pesquera

Worth checking is the first floor, where a few art pieces from national artists like Cebu’s own Martino Abellana, Fernando Amorsolo, and Jose Joya take pride of place. On the right wing are finds from archeological digs found all over the islands. Called Ang Karaang Sugbo or Old Cebu, they include a gold death mask and ancient vases from China. There’s also Kinaiyahan: Cebu’s Natural Wonders, which features an impressive wall containing the different layers underneath our soil. There is also a display case that interactively showcases the various elements around the area, like gold, copper, and gypsum. Another wing is Paglawig: Cultural Movember Across the Seas, showcasing the islands’ maritime history and sea bounty, including rare shells.

Museum Director Jeremy Barns, Maryanne Arculli, Andronik Aboitiz and wife Doreen, Amanda Luym

Some of the abstract art from the New York collection

It is on the second floor, though, where the museum shines. Up the grand staircase, guests are greeted by Elmer Borlongan’s massive Battle of Mactan, facing a facsimile of the Sta Maria galleon, Magellan’s flagship. Then on to a limited-time exhibit on loan from the Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974, a treasure trove of almost 90 paintings collected by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, including Ang Kioks, Sanso, Manuel Rodrigues, and many more representing both avant-garde and classic Filipino masters. The New York collection is only available until March 2024 and is not to be missed.

Writer Eva Gullas beside Elmer Borlongan’s Battle of Mactan

The National Museum Cebu has been years in the making, and this cultural milestone has finally been made possible under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who famously said during the inauguration, “I am a museum fan, and I can stay in art museums for hours and hours.” He added, ” museums are considered valuable natural assets to a nation as they build a sense of community, document history, inspire creativity, promote tourism, and unite people through a shared heritage.” Kudos to the National Museum Board of Trustees, chaired by Andoni Aboitiz and Museum Director Jeremy Barnes, for this cultural gift to Cebu!

Arts & Culture

The Uncommon Traditions that Mexicans and Filipinos share when celebrating the Day of the Dead.

Dia de los Muertos

By Allain Dumon Fonte

The 2nd of November is All Soul’s Day, a holiday that is very important to many Filipinos to remember our loved ones who passed on. This is also widely celebrated in Mexico as “Dia De los Muertos” or in English, “The Day of the Dead”. And Mexicans celebrate the 2nd of November grander than they celebrate Christmas. Well, you can witness it from the Disney movie, “Coco”.

As All Soul’s Day or Dia de los Muertos is about to end, here are some interesting traditions and superstitions that Filipinos and Mexicans share:

1. IT IS NOT ON THE 31st OF OCTOBER

Dia de los Muertos or All Soul’s Day is not practiced on October 31st or on the Hallow’s Eve as many other western cultures practice; but we celebrate it on the 2nd of November. We celebrate November 1st as All Saint’s Day or the Day of the Holy, while in Mexico they call it Dia de los Innocentes or Dia de los Angelitos to commemorate the children who died too early in life.

2. THE RITUAL

Both in Mexico and in the Philippines, we visit the grave of our loved ones and we clean it well. This is a ritual to honour their resting places and to let them know that they are never forgotten.

3. FLOWERS INVITE SPIRITS

In Mexico, they believe that the scent of flowers attract spirits. So the flower offerings are invitation to their dead loved ones to visit the living families. While in the Philippines, we believe that flowers offered to the dead exalt the souls and somehow fill in the sadness that we feel when missing our dead loved ones.

Most of the time, Filipinos choose all-white flowers to offer because white is the absence of colour, which means the absence of Joy and happiness. White also symbolises purity of soul which we hope our dead loved ones will attain as they journey to heaven. While in Mexico, they have the yellow Mexican marigolds as the official flowers of the dead that will guide them in their journey to the afterlife.

4. THE LEGEND OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Both cultures believe that monarch butterflies are dead loved ones who visit us and show their appreciation that we have not forgotten them. A presence of monarch butterflies also means that our dead loved ones are always there guiding us and looking after us.

5. A PICNIC IN THE GRAVEYARD

Spending a night at the graveyard and picnicking with the rest of the family may sound very creepy to many; but to both Filipino and Mexican cultures, picnicking and spending a night at the cemetery is a must to show our love to our dearly departed. It is the only time in the year that families gather and tell stories of the dead loved ones and how colourful or how great their lives were.

6. FOOD FOR THE DEAD

In Mexico, they have what they call “ofrendas” or an altar where the pictures of their dead loved ones are displayed and offered with flowers, candles, and their favourite food. Very similar to the Filipino culture of cooking the favourite food of our dead loved ones and everyone in the family enjoys the food for dinner.

My family tradition involves me driving all the way to Colon street and buy that famous Snow Sheen’s “pancit canton”. This is my granddad’s favourite snack. Sadly, the old Visayan Restaurant is no longer there. My late uncle and my late grandpa love their sweet ad and sour fish. We also set up an “ofrenda” on their graveyard and eat their favourite food while picnicking in the cemetery. We do not spend a night in the cemetery; but while we are picnicking there, we usually play the songs of Pilita Corrales and Susan Fuentes that my late grandpa used to listen every afternoon while enjoying his coffee, pan de sal, and pancit canton.

What about your family traditions? Share your thoughts by commenting to this article.

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