I can still remember clearly that day. It was a clear sunny blue sky on the day of Jan. 17, Sunday. The Cebu Bloggers Society was partnered with 88DB.com in their booth. They were stationed just outside Acha Pizzeria in Jones Avenue. Our meeting time was 1PM so I went out from the house around 12:30PM. I rode a jeepney down to Fuente circle and from there I walked my way to the booth. It took me an hour and a half to reach the 88DB.com booth coz’ the crowd was completely great in number. Someone told me that there were 2 million devotees gathered that day.
Anyway, that was my first ever Sinulog experience. Back home in Leyte since I was a child, I only watch Sinulog Festival on TV. When I reached college and started studying here in Cebu last 2006, I don’t go out during Sinulog coz’ of the crowd and another thing also is I don’t have company.
This year was my first ever experience of Sinulog: I walked how many kilometers during the procession, I almost fainted, I thought I’m going to experience a stampede, I was dripping in sweat, saw celebrities particularly Matt Evans, Melissa Ricks, and Sen. Bong Revilia, and I witnessed the most extravagant fireworks display at Ayala Center Cebu.
Back to 88DB.com booth, the 88DB.com members gave us exclusive sun visors and a sling bags with goodies in it. And guess what, I had a FREE face paint. That was just so cool. They do FREE henna and face paint to those who will register to their organization and we were there to help them spread the word. There were lots of people who wanted to get FREE henna and face paint so it really worked.
I thought it will not rain that day, but around 3:00PM the rain poured heavily but luckily it stopped right away. We ran to Acha Pizzeria for cover. Since we felt hungry, Atty. Ethelbert suggested that we grab a bite at Acha Pizzeria so we went inside, ordered two different flavors of pizzas, and helped ourselves. That became our supper. After eating, we then decided to go to Ayala to watch the magnificent fireworks display. We walked from Jones to Ayala. Imagine that. There were thousands of people in the streets even until we reached Ayala.
We waited an hour or two for the fireworks to light the sky. Upon waiting, we saw fireworks from Abellana, Crown Regency, and Capitol which were beautiful. But nothing can beat the fireworks display at Ayala. It then started. It lasted for about 20 minutes. It was spectacularly amazing which just means its worth the wait! I’ve never seen such beautiful fireworks display in my whole life until that moment.
vain moment while waiting for the fireworks
After the magnificent fireworks display, we then hiked to Ayala Terraces to chill. We decided to stay atVanille and ordered some cold smoothies to freshen us up. I was already exhausted that time. Around 1AM, we decided to go home. Me and Sinjin rode a jeepney on our way home. He stayed at a hotel somewhere in Escario.
Mocha Frappe at Vanille
I would never forget that wonderful experience. Aside from all that, it was also a great day for me coz’ I was able to make new friends through Prince.
I want to thank Cebu Bloggers Society for letting me experience Sinulog Festival, to 88DB.com for inviting CBS to their booth, and to Prince who made me make new friends. Thank you all. May the next Sinulog Festival will be as merry as the previous one.
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