The Sinulog Festival 2026 officially came to life on Friday, January 9, as Cebu City launched weeks of celebration with the traditional Opening Salvo—blending prayer, pageantry, and civic unity in a program rooted in devotion to the Señor Santo Niño.
The opening rites began early Friday afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center, drawing devotees, performers, students, and city officials ahead of the procession to the Pilgrim Center.
At the heart of the Opening Salvo was a Mass sponsored by the Cebu City government and presided over by Msgr. Agustin Velez Ancajas, reaffirming Sinulog’s foundation as a religious celebration long before it became a global cultural spectacle.
After the Mass, the atmosphere shifted from solemn to celebratory as participants gathered for the solidarity and unity dance, a symbolic expression of shared faith and collective identity.
Shortly after, Mayor Nestor Archival formally declared the Sinulog Festival 2026 open at 4 p.m., marking the official start of Cebu’s largest religious and cultural event.
Archival urged Cebuanos to celebrate responsibly and with reverence as the city prepares for the arrival of millions of devotees and tourists in the days leading up to the grand parade.
The Opening Salvo was followed by the launching parade, led by a ceremonial banner and 100 flags carried by members of the Boy Scouts.
City officials and members of the Sinulog Board of Trustees marched alongside the reigning Sinulog Festival Queen, followed by a featured “big caro” entry and contingents from 17 participating schools and performing groups.
Participating contingents included the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu Institute of Technology–University, Cebu Technological University, University of the Visayas, Cebu Aeronautical Technical School, University of San Carlos, Abellana National School, Lapu-Lapu Cebu International College, Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors University, University of San Jose–Recoletos, University of Cebu, Indiana Aerospace University, Mandaue Science High School, Mandaue School for the Arts, Salazar iCollege of Science and Institute of Technology, and Mir Mir Performing Arts.
Festivities continued at the Sinulog Grand Stage inside the Cebu City Sports Center, where a pre-program featured Sinulog Idols performances, audio-visual presentations, and sponsor segments.
The formal stage program opened with a thanksgiving song and the Philippine national anthem, followed by Archival’s welcome address.
A 30-minute launching dance presentation served as the evening’s highlight, showcasing the energy and creativity of Sinulog performers, before the program concluded with a curtain call and a fireworks display. (LLP)
