Pagtuki: Celebrate Sinulog with faith

Days before the grand Sinulog celebration, people were anticipating street parades and Mardi Gras with bright-colored costumes and parties. But among all these things, people should not forget the essence of the celebration devotion.

“We are all part of the Sinulog tradition. This is our devotion to Señor Santo Niño. I look at it as a dance of faith. For hundreds of years now, this has been the Cebuanos’ way of expressing their faith,” said Fr. Tito Soquiño, executive director of Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Inc., during the Jan. 12 episode of “Pagtuki,” a radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

Dr. Jocelyn  Gerra, executive director of RAFI’s Culture and Heritage unit, also said Sinulog is a celebration of faith, especially among Cebuanos.

She said this is the time where one’s faith grows and become a living testimony.

“Sinulog became a dance of ritual in honor of the Señor Santo Niño. Cebuanos still retain the original steps of the Sinulog dance. As long as the movements retain the worship aspect of the dance, then it is still authentic,” Gerra said.

The word “Sinulog” comes from the Cebuano word “sulog” or “sug”, which means “like the water current” that describes the two steps forward, one step backward movement of the Sinulog dance.

“Dance evolves over time. But the original Sinulog movements are still alive because of the people who take care of it and dance it. Dance is not just an art but a form of worship,” she added.

For Soquiño, one challenge that the Church has been facing is to encourage the youth to continue their strong devotion to Señor Sto. Niño. He is happy to see a large crowd of youth during novenas and masses, Soquiño said.

“Old people should also lead by example. They should live a Christian way of life,” Gerra said.

“Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA every Saturday at 10-11 a.m.