Sinulog 2009 Celebration

Festival Photography by Ryan Macalandag

I've never really shot the Sinulog Festival before. I forgot my reasons for not going. I was probably just lazy. But anyways, this year, together with more than a thousand other photographers, I registered for the "photo contest". I reckoned it would be cool to shoot the Grand Parade with an all-access ID. So off I went.





Actually, "off I went" when the thing was already half finished. At around 10am Sunday, I was still at home in Tagbilaran City, watching the mardigra on TV. I did not leave until 11:35 (Oceanjet) and arrived Cebu at 1:40 in the afternoon. From Pier 1, the roads where already packed with people. I walked about 2 kilometers to Abellana through Colon. I arrived 3pm half-wet from rain and sweat.









The Photographer-Videographer ID was very useful indeed. First, it got me inside the grandstand where the "dance interpretation" contest for all the contingents were held. And of course, in the streets where the crowds are thick, I can just flash my ID and we were let into the route where the dancers do their thing.

The ID was also helpful to let a few friends in. But that was not entirely legal I think.



Anyways, I wasn't really in the mood to shoot until the last dance troupe, so I went with Bea and Teo to Maud's place just near Jones (French invasion). The streets were still very crowded.

When we got to Maud's, everyone took a nap while I reviewed my 200 or so photos from the day's shoot. Bea had over 2000 photos. I really helps if you get there early. Bea was there already from the start.

For dinner, we went to Yellow Cab Pizza in Mango Avenue. We walked the whole stretch from Jones too! It was just crazy all over the streets with throngs and throngs of people walking to Mango or Ayala where the street parties where.







After a rather hefty Meat-lover and Garden Fresh pizza dinner, we again schlepped our way to The Outpost in Lahug (there where no taxi's anywhere because of the traffic!) where we were to meet Manu, Didin and Scott, more friends from Bohol.







Outpost was relatively quieter than in Mango or Ayala. The band line-up for the night was mostly reggae or thereabouts. Marla, Scott's "friend", did vocals for Island Joe a ska band.

Kadangyan and Mungkanghan, both enthno-tribal-worldbeat bands also played. And of course, Budoy's Junior Kilat also performed on stage.

We went home after Budoy and a few bottles of Coors and Cerveza Negra at around 4am already. Whew! Pit Senyor! indeed.



To view more photos, please visit: my Flickr or my Picasa account