Hello Hive friends! How's your day today? I hope you are all doing great as I share with you our experiences for our Sinulog Festival celebration in our school.
Last Friday, January 31, 2025, our school celebrated its annual fiesta and family day. I have shared in one of my foodie blogs my Graham cake recipe during our novena. Now, I will share with you how we grabbed the grand champion title during our Sinulog Festival for this year.
In my 7 years of being a 7th grader adviser, I used to be the 1st runner-up in every school's Sinulog Festival. This school year, I was moved to grade 9 level, and luckily, for this year, we've made it to be hailed as grand champion. I never thought of being the champion. I always offer it to God as thanksgiving for all the blessings He has given to us, especially during tough times.
As one of the school event committee members, I proposed to have a schedule for practice that could not affect the classes. We strictly followed it, and I told my grade 9 learners to enjoy the practice and to focus on giving thanks to the creator. I always encourage them to show cooperation in making their props and costumes.
In every school event, we practiced having blocking and rehearsals. They were given time for the blocking, and we had our rehearsal on the day before the event to see the possible outcome. We reminded the learners to strictly follow the rules to avoid disqualifications or deduction of points. I was not satisfied with the performance of my learners since a group of dancers and props men still lacks the time to master their parts. I told them we'll practice on the next day, which is the event day at 5:30 in the morning.
The day has come for the DNHS Sinulog Festival 2025. I messaged them in our group chat that I'm on my way to the school. My learners were very cooperative, and they arrived at the school. They then started repairing and finishing their props and costumes while I was preparing the sound system to be used for the celebration. We then started our practice with the help of Michael Joseph, their dance master.
I was the one who conceptualized their performance. I just asked for help from Michael Joseph to perform the dance steps and help in the choreography. My learners mentioned that they were afraid of the 10th grade because it has been 7 years that 10th graders have always won the festival. I just responded to enjoy the moment. No worries if they can't make it to the top. What I want them to do is to value their unity and cooperation in doing things.
Our pretty Festival Queen
The photo above was taken from Tribu Daantabogon FB account.
I and Ma'am Ivy rented a festival queen costume from Catmon, Cebu. I asked my wife to do the make-up and reminded the festival queen to always wear her smile and to graciously dance with the beat of the Sinulog music. She practiced well with the help of her classmates. She was also encouraged and inspired by the people close to her.
The Stage Decoration
As our school decorator, I utilized the available materials in our school. Since our school covered court was completely done. Our school stage is now under repair. They started at the back portion by making new posts for the stage expansion. I was glad that the parish priest who celebrated the mass appreciated my work for this year's fiesta Señor decoration.
Thanksgiving Mass
We started the celebration with a holy mass at 9:00 am. The judges also arrived on time. We were supposed to start right away after the mass, but unfortunately two of the festival queens arrived very late due to their makeup schedule. Even though we keep on reminding them about the time, we were still out of control. We started the event at 10:30. Our festival queen did not win any minor awards, but we were very glad that the 9th graders were proclaimed the Sinulog Ritual Showdown Grand Champion.
The single photo I took during their performance
I was only able to capture one single photo during their performance. But I was able to take a video and some photos of their repeat performance during our coronation night of the King and Queen of DNHS in the evening. After their performance, I treated them with a burger, and they were very happy about it. It was indeed a memorable experience for all of us. I hope they learned something from this event and that they will continue to be an inspiration to their fellow learners.
Highlights during their repeat performance
Viva Pit Señor! My grade 9 learners, the hugpong sa masadyaong mananayaw (group of joyful dancers) is the grand champion for this year's Sinulog Festival. May the magnet of love, Señor Sto. Niño, the hope of the pilgrim church continue to bless His people.
Thank you for taking the time reading my blog. Till next time.