[IN PHOTOS] Sinulog amid the pandemic: Just another day in Cebu City

By: Morexette Marie B. Erram - 3 years ago

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
Ordinary scenes like these near the Fuente Osmeña Circle mark the third Sunday of January 2021, in what would have been a full-blown Sinulog celebration with millions expected to crowd the city’s streets, including the iconic rotunda park. | via Morexette Marie Erram #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Streets in Cebu City usually erupt in colors every third Sunday of January as millions visit here to celebrate the Sinulog Festival, the secular celebration in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño.

They have witnessed the lively performances from contingents around the country competing for the Ritual Showdown; intricately adorned floats, puppets, and higantes during the Grand Parade; and even the rowdy street parties.

But in 2021, as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rage on, the Feast of the Holy Child in Cebu City is just like any other ordinary day for Cebuanos except for small decorations and huge speakers playing the Sinulog beat to solemnly celebrate this tradition.

Gen. Maxilom Avenue

Popularly known as Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, has always been part of the Carousel Route for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
General Maxilom Avenue, or commonly known as Mango Avenue, has witnessed the countless Sinulog Grand Parades and Street Dances until this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | via @morexetteCDN #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

Aside from being the venue where judges see the performances by contingents for the Street Dance competition, Mango Avenue is also connected to Juana Osmeña Street which has gained notoriety over the years due to the street parties that often go awry there.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
Only a few motorists and pedestrians are seen along General Maxilom Avenue or commonly known as Mango Avenue, today, which could have been the day of the Sinulog celebration if not for the pandemic. | via @morexetteCDN #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, Mango Avenue, however, was virtually empty except for a few vehicles passing by.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
General Maxilom Avenue, or commonly known as Mango Avenue, which is one of the areas where the Sinulog Grand Parades during the Sinulog Festivals is lacking the crowds and revelry that could have been celebrated today had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic. | via @morexetteCDN #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

Fuente Osmeña Circle

This iconic rotunda park in uptown Cebu City is the last stop for contingents before entering the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) where they will perform, for the last time, for the Ritual Showdown.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
Motorists and a few pedestrians are seen near the Fuente Osmeña Circle on the third Sunday of January 2021, in what would have been a full-blown Sinulog celebration with millions expected to crowd the city’s streets.| via Morexette Marie Erram #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

Fuente Osmeña Circle is also where performers often take a break before walking another kilometer along Osmeña Boulevard towards CCSC.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
It’s an ordinary Sunday in the new normal near the Fuente Osmeña Circle in this third Sunday of January 2021, in what would have been a full-blown Sinulog celebration with millions expected to crowd the city’s streets of the city. | via Morexette Marie Erram #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

Ordinary scenes like these near the Fuente Osmeña Circle, however, mark the third Sunday of January 2021, in what would have been a full-blown Sinulog celebration with millions expected to crowd the city’s streets.

NOT A NORMAL SINULOG
Near empty streets are seen near the Fuente Osmeña Circle on this third Sunday of January 2021, where in Pre-COVID-19 days were filled with millions of people celebrating the Sinulog Festival. | via Morexette Marie Erram #CDNDigital #CDNSinulog2021

All physical events in line with the Sinulog Festival this year were cancelled due to threats of COVID-19. /dbs