day before sinulog

i really would like to share my sinulog experience with everybody who gets to read this blog. i grew up in negros and bacolodnons are not that much of a devotee for their patron, san sebastian. unlike any other big fiestival in the philippines, masskara is one that i know that is not related to saints or to any religious icons. so imagine my surprise when i attended the mass celebration in sto. nino basillica. it was jae's, my roommate, fault why i was convinced to join patron's activity day before the sinulog fiestival. she told me that i was too lazy to join the procession that i'd rather run 21k marathon. it was true! i'm a negrense and i'm totally numb about how big sinulog is for others. so, my conscience was talking me into it. i planned to do my laundry that day but thanks for dang, they are still soaked and unwashed up until now. i didn't know what to expect when i met up with ace, rubai and cele. i thought we were going to join the procession, but they had a better idea.


1) taking chances - we were lining up the back gate of the basillica, hoping the gates will be opened any time soom. people were literally rubbing elbows with each other, it was raining, my feet is drenched with dirt. not until somebody lead the people in shouting out aloud the words "open, open". i'm sure the novena was distrubed by that commotion, so they decided to open the gates for us.


2) good samaritan - who offered part of his plastic cover so we can sit nicely and clean.


3) long wait - novena that almost took 4(h)ever to finish. 3h for the mass


4) the wave - batobalani wave was a little awkward for me first. you'll get used to it if you don't think about how stupid you look, hehe. i get goosebumps when i see people doing it. the song was like crying to my ears. photographers go gaga shooting here and there everytime the song hits the chorus. haha


5) the ninos - people everywhere were carrying small, some big, some very big statues.. and they're raising it up from time to time.


6) kidneys - you better take your cr routine and not drink any liquid few hours before you decide to crash the site.

7) balloons - tied up with it is their petition. one balloon didn't get so lucky, after few attempts of taking it in another level, it just couldn't make it. it swerved all over the bleachers and down to the altar.. and back again. it was funny.



it was some experience that i would love to share with my mama. she's a sto.nino devotee... she couldn't keep her hands off the little statue she has during the new year's eve!