1.5.3: Filipino Sinulog

Sinulog is a celebration where dancers honor Santo Niño de Cebu (Child Jesus). In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan gave a statue of the baby Jesus to the Rajah Humabon of Cebu. Paving the way for the advent of Christianity in the Philippines, it is said that the receipt of the holy relic is one of the most important events in the religious history of the country. According to legend, the consort to Rajah Humabon, Queen Juana, danced with joy holding the image of baby Jesus. Following her example, the other indigenous people joined in the dance. This event is regarded as the first Sinulog celebration, a danced presentation of Catholic faith.

Sinulog has a distinctive forward-backward step which seems to emulate a water-like movement. The Cebuano word “sulog” translates as “current”, a dance movement that is believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay who fell ill and was delivered to the enshrined Santo Niño relic. After a few days, he was found dancing back and forth, shouting out. When asked why he was shouting and dancing like the movement of the river, Baladhay pointed to the statue of holy relic and described being tickled by baby Jesus (Taboclaon, n.d.).

Even today, the two-steps forward, one-step back dance movement is still performed by Santo Niño devotees to reinforce social cohesion. Through the sacred Sinulog, the Filipino demonstration of monotheism enables the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and helps people to maintain their worldview even when tragedy strikes.

Definition: Monotheism

Belief in the singular existence of one supreme being typifies monotheistic belief system. Universally referred to as God, some examples of monotheistic religions are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism.

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