People from all walks of life from Barangays Southwestern Poblacion and the nearby barangays shouted Viva Pit Senior! Viva Pit Senior! Viva Pit Senior!
Before sunset as early as 4 o’clock in the morning the Senior Santo Niño devotees parade the Saint along the Poblacion areas and this event is locally known as “Dianalog”.
The activity of the Catholic Parish Church continues right after the 2nd Mass. In front of the church the devotees dance to the beat of drums, trumpets with their colorful costumes and they performed the Sinulog Ritual in-front of the image of Senor Santo.
After the morning activity the contenders were preparing for the afternoon Sinulog street dance and Sinulog Showdown sponsored by Barangay Southwestern Poblacion Council spearheaded by Barangay Captain Ezel T. Villanueva.
Third Sunday of the month of January is the celebration of the Sinulog that honor Senior Santo Niño the child Jesus. Barangay Southwestern Poblacion joined the celebration of the feast of Senior Santo Niño as part of their 29th Araw ng Southwestern Poblacion.
The Sinulog is an annual activity of Southwestern which features the values, the importance of faith and traditions of the people. The Sinulog Festival started during the administration of the late Municipal Mayor Porferio Branzuela. The present administration continued the festival.
Busy streets of Poblacion areas along the highway filled with people especially Senior Santo Niño devotees who are eager to witness the yearly Sinolug Festival. The procession routes from Southwestern Poblacion Barangay Hall passed by the streets of Don Bernardo A. Neri (Terminal area), Solinog and then Northern Poblacion and back to Barangay Hall of Southwestern for the proper Sinulog Ritual.
Participants dressed in dark colored costumes and dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and other musical instruments. Cebu is not the only Sinulog destination in the Philippines. Devotees don’t have to travel to Cebu, just to witness the Festival. Barangay Southwestern has a smaller and unique version of Cebu Sinulog Festival.
The Sinulog Festival is one of the big Festivals held yearly in the Municipality of Calamba, Misamis Occidental.
Devotees and guests enjoyed the event and they are looking forward for next year presentations.
Viva Senior Santo Niño! Viva Senior Santo Niño! Viva Senior Santo Niño!