The Philippines is a nation of year-round colourful festivities, but there are few more colourful than Sinulog, which is held on the third Sunday of January each year – falling this year on 21 January.
Sinulog is a Catholic festival of devotion to the Infant Jesus (Santo Niño) through processions and carefully choreographed dances. Although Cebu City is considered to be the festival’s place of origin, Filipinos the world over, including those in Macao, hold impressive celebrations of their own to stay connected to their faith and heritage.
The message for anyone who saw Sinulog over the weekend was abundantly clear: the event is back in full swing after muted observances during the pandemic. In keeping with custom, the festival – first held in Macao in 2003 – began with Mass at Saint Augustine’s Church, a favourite with the Filipino community. After a procession, the Sinulog Festival ended with a dance competition at Praça da Amizade that featured performers in extravagant costumes.
[See more: The Macao International Parade is recruiting performers and participants]
This year saw the participation of five dance groups, including previous three-time champions, Bisdak Macau Association, who participated in the festivities as guest performers. Despite having to juggle full-time work, as well as prepare for the upcoming Chinese New Year Parade, members of the dance group were adamant about training late into the night by Nam Van Lake.
“Prior to this date, we have already been rehearsing two weeks ago,” said Edmond Tang, the group’s dance choreographer who spoke to Macao News on the sidelines. “This week, we have been practising continuously every night, from 10:00 pm until midnight or 1:00 am.”
This year’s dance competition winner was the Orient Premier Tribe. Photojournalist Eduardo Leal was there to document their hard work, as well as that of the other performers, and the parade itself, which shows the richness and dynamism of Macao’s Filipino community.
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Members of the Bisdak dance troupe practise a routine for the Sinulog, during a training session held a few days before the big event
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Members of the Bisdak dance troupe take a break during a training session for the Sinulog Festival
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The queen of the Debutantes of Macau dance troupe poses for a portrait before the start of the Sinulog procession
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A member of The Heart of Filipino Service (THOFS) dance troupe checks herself in a mirror before performing at Sinulog
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A member of the Orient Premier Tribe dance troupe arranges the hair of the group’s queen before festivities begin
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The queen of the Heart of Filipino Services performing group poses at the head of her troupe as the Sinulog festival commences
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The queen of Orient Premier Tribe dance troupe holds a small statue of the Infant Jesus as she leads her group in a performance
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Members of The Heart of Filipino Service (THOFS) dance troupe smile exuberantly as they perform at Sinulog
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The Heart of Filipino Service (THOFS) dance troupe takes part in the Sinulog procession
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A colourful procession, featuring performers, devotees and members of the Philippine community, is the heart of the Sinulog Festival
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Colourfully dressed Sinulog performers are seen against the unmistakable backdrop of Macao’s skyline
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Two members of the Sinulog Festival’s organising committee help carry a litter with a figure of the Infant Jesus through the streets of Macao
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The Heart of Filipino Service (THOFS) dance troupe concludes its performance at Sinulog
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The queen of the Orient Premier Tribe dance troupe swoons as her group finishes its performance at Sinulog 2024
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