Return of Sinulog to old venue a blockbuster

Local

THE city's streets came alive during Sinulog 2025, drawing a record-breaking crowd of four million revelers and delivering a significant boost to local businesses.

As the highly anticipated Sinulog Festival returned to its traditional carousel route, the streets along P. Del Rosario, Osmeña Boulevard, and General Maxilom Avenue were vibrant with energy.

The spectacular turnout transformed not just the city's cultural landscape but also its economic activity, making the festival a win for businesses large and small.

A success for the economy

Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia hailed Sinulog 2025 as the "liveliest and grandest" edition yet, noting that the event surpassed last year’s three-million strong crowd.

The grand parade and ritual showdown sparked a surge in energy throughout downtown Cebu, revitalizing the city’s heart with thousands of spectators who filled every corner, sidewalks, and rooftop to enjoy the celebrations.

Garcia proudly called it a monumental success for both the city and its people, emphasizing that the bustling streets and businesses were proof of the festival’s continued growth.

The day’s festivities began with a Holy Mass at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), setting a reverent yet jubilant tone for the rest of the celebrations. It marked a collective celebration of Cebu's deep-rooted faith, culture, and artistry.

Over 100 contingents participated, including 43 groups competing in the prestigious Free Interpretation and Sinulog-Based categories, while vibrant floats, towering higantes, and skillful puppeteers added extra splendor to the proceedings.

Local businesses thrive

The economic impact of Sinulog 2025 was especially evident. As the city welcomed visitors from all over the globe, local entrepreneurs were quick to capitalize on the influx of festival-goers.

From small street vendors to large hotels, businesses saw an impressive increase in customers.

Many food vendors, like Dionessa, a street vendor selling unripe mangoes and peanuts, shared their excitement over the sales boost as revelers flocked to grab a quick snack amidst the festivities.

Dionessa, a street vendor selling unripe mangoes and peanuts, shared with MyTV Cebu that her sales significantly increased during the solemn foot procession, when over 1.4 million people attended.

Businesses that lined the parade route were equally energized by the thousands of people swarming the area. Restaurants and other service providers, buoyed by large crowds and positive feedback, also reported record sales, thanks to the increased demand for food, drinks, and services.

In fact, Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. president Mia Singsong-Leon mentioned that Cebu’s hospitality sector was fully booked as early as December, a clear reflection of the festival’s positive influence.

Local and foreign Visitors

The highlight of the Sinulog 2025 festivities was the grand parade, which displayed the unparalleled creativity and artistic skill of the contingents. Local groups wowed spectators with their vibrant costumes, intricate props, and synchronized choreography.

For visitors like Canadian tourist Andrew and Slovenian Sarah, it was their first Sinulog experience, and they were immediately captivated by Cebu’s dynamic atmosphere.

"The colorful performances were amazing, and the food here is so delicious!" Andrew told MyTV Cebu while soaking in the sights.

Notably, celebrities and influencers also made their mark during the parade, with the likes of Coco Martin, Kim Chiu, and Miss Universe 2019 semifinalist Gazini Ganados being featured on floats, bringing even more excitement to the spectacle.

This blend of culture, talent, and star power added another layer of enjoyment for festival-goers.

Logistical challenges

Despite its successes, Sinulog 2025 faced a few logistical hurdles. The overwhelming turnout led to crowd management issues, particularly in the street dancing segments.

Several contingents, including those from Barangay Kalunasan and other local groups, withdrew from portions of the competition, citing safety concerns over crowd congestion and the risk of a stampede.

Despite these challenges, organizers and authorities worked swiftly to resolve the issues and ensure that safety was maintained.

Traffic congestion also caused delays at the CCSC, especially as performers and props struggled to exit after the ritual showdown.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) was called in to help manage the crowd and provide assistance in securing safe movement, while medical teams responded to 190 minor incidents, most of which were related to exhaustion and dehydration.

Authorities were also firm about maintaining the sanctity and safety of the festival, issuing show-cause orders to eight establishments that violated the liquor ban near the parade route.

Business owners were given three days to explain the violations, with officials reminding them of the importance of adhering to festival rules to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Class suspensions

In light of the physical toll on participants and festival-goers, several local government units announced class suspensions for January 20, allowing attendees and performers time to recover.

These suspensions were implemented across various areas, including Carmen, Carcar City, Danao City, and Talisay City, with varying levels of restrictions based on school categories.

Sinulog 2025 ended with a dazzling fireworks display at the Cebu City Sports Center, a fitting grand finale to a day filled with colorful performances, lively parades, and joyous celebrations.

As the city prepares to build on this year’s success, officials have already begun working on improving logistics for the next festival.(MyTVCebu)