The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Dr. Vivienne SM. Angeles

LaSalle University
Study of Filipino Communities in Philadelphia

 

"Sinulog" in Philadelphia

"Sinulog" is a festival in honor of the Santo Nino (Holy Child/Infant Jesus). The festival originated in the city of Cebu in southern Philippines. According to traditions, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan brought the handcrafted image of the Santo Nino to the Philippines in 1521 and gave it as a present to Queen Juana, the wife of the Datu (chief) of Cebu. Forty-four years later, a Spanish soldier, Juan Camus found the image in a settlement in Cebu, which the Spaniards had previously burned. People considered it a miracle that the image survived the fire. An Augustinian, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta established the Convent of Santo Nino of Cebu on April 28, 1565, and later on, a church was built on the site where the image was found. Devotees believe that the Santo Nino performed and continues to perform many miracles.

Traditions also say that when Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana, the natives started to move their hands and shuffle their feet. Hence, dancing became part of the celebrations. "Sinulog," the dance, is named after the river current, "sulog." This might have something to do with how the image reached Philippine shores. In fact, the ceremonies in Cebu begin with an early morning fluvial procession, reenacting the coming of the Spaniards. A mass and then the "Sinulog" procession follow, where people dance while holding the image of the Santo Nino.

Filipinos consider "Sinulog" a dance of thanksgiving, intercession, petition, adoration—but most of all, it is performed to honor the Santo Nino, the child-king who, has touched many lives. So they shout "Viva Pit Senor Santo Nino!"

As the Filipinos in Cebu, Philippines dance, so do the Filipinos in Philadelphia who have made Olde St. Augustine Church the shrine of Santo Nino in the city. Filipinos in Philadelphia, however, perform the "Sinulog" in August simply because it is too cold to be dancing outside on the third Sunday of January which is the actual feastday of the Santo Nino.

All pictures were taken during the "Summer Sinulog '98" at the Olde St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia on August 30, 1998.

 

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A Filipino group from New York and New Jersey, dressed in costumes typical of the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. They came to attend the mass and participate in the Sinulog.

An image of the Santo Nino. The crowned image is holding a scepter on the left hand and an orb on the other. The Santo Nino is revered as the child-king.

Filipinas holding their own images of the Santo Nino in front of Olde St. Augustine Church.

The Santo Nino Prayer Group of Atlantic City was one of the many prayer groups that participated in Sinulog '98.

Filipinos carrying the cross during the Sinulog procession. This cross topped the steeple of Olde St. Augustine Church until it fell down after a storm in December 1992. Behind the cross is a decorated float bearing the church image of the Santo Nino.

Women dancing with their own Santo Nino images. Note that Filipinos usually have an image of Santo Nino among several statues of saints which they keep in a family altar at home.