Alongside the famous “lechon” (roasted pig) and “puso” (hanging rice), two things stand out as iconic tourist magnets for Cebu: Sinulog and beaches. These two emblems exude the youthful vibrancy than can be found without fail all over the island. The Sinulog is a festival that occurs on every third Sunday of January. It is held in honour of the Santo Nino of Cebu. In the week before the Sinulog, Cebu’s streets effuse with symbols of liveliness, heritage and devotion: “banderitas” (colourful stringed flags) flutter above the streets, bazaar stalls line the sidewalks, open-air concerts fill the Fuente Rotunda and huge posters or replicas of historic Cebuano spots adorn roadsides and corners.
On the day itself, the citizens pour out into the streets, rich and poor alike. Tourists from all over the Philippines and the world flock to Cebu for the Sinulog, too. The norm of the day is walking – vehicles can barely make their way through throngs of revellers. Massive, decorated floats parade in the streets, as well as numerous dancers with painted bodies and creative costumes. It is not rare for the onlookers themselves to get their faces painted and to continue partying past midnight, even till the wee hours of dawn. After all, every Monday following the Sinulog is an official rest day for Cebuanos, meaning there are no classes and, for some, no work. Beaches can be found to the north, south, east and west of Cebu. In short, there are immense choices for an intimate weekend getaway or a fun party. It is common practice to hop from island to island on a wooden, motor-powered boat. There are beaches that have soft, pure white sand, especially in the south and in nearby islands. There are also plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing.
