2026 Sinulog will be held at CCSC – Archival

Local

THE Sinulog Festival will continue to be held at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) in 2026.

Cebu City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr. confirmed on Tuesday, May 20, that the city’s iconic religious and cultural festival will remain at its traditional venue in downtown Cebu City, a year after it was brought back from the South Road Properties (SRP).

“The Sinulog will go back to the original place where it was conceptualized,” Archival told reporters in an interview.

“Mas daghan ang makatan-aw. Worship ni sa Señor Sto. Niño. Ibalik lang nato kay mas duol sa simbahan,” he added.

Archival said the decision to keep the Sinulog at the CCSC was guided by concerns over accessibility, practicality, and the festival’s religious significance.

He pointed out that many devotees and spectators have limited access to private transportation, making SRP a difficult location for most.

“Kung SRP, dili man gud tanan naay sakyanan,” he said, referring to the South Road Properties, a reclaimed area in Cebu City where the festival was temporarily transferred in 2023 and 2024.

The mayor-elect also emphasized that holding the parade near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño aligns the event more closely with its religious origins.

While he acknowledged the development potential of the SRP, he said spiritual and cultural considerations must take priority when it comes to Sinulog.

The transfer of the Sinulog Grand Parade to the SRP was implemented by former Mayor Michael Rama, who cited the need for wider space and envisioned the SRP as a future hub for major city events.

However, the venue drew mixed reactions from attendees due to heat exposure, the lack of shade, and limited access to transportation.

This year, under outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the city government brought back the Sinulog to the CCSC.

Garcia, during the 1Cebu Expo in August 2024, said that Cebu City would once again host the event downtown, calling it a “learning experience” and a step toward improving future editions of the festival.

While Archival is a member of the Bando Osmeña–Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), which supports development initiatives at the SRP, he said decisions regarding the Sinulog must prioritize the public’s experience and the essence of the celebration.

Sinulog, held every third Sunday of January, is one of the Philippines’ biggest festivals, attracting millions of devotees, tourists, and performers. It features a grand street parade, religious processions, and various cultural performances in honor of Cebu’s patron, Señor Santo Niño.(TGP)