This Week in Cebu (January 15 to 21, 2017)

Get ready to shout “Prititit!” and dance to the Sinulog beat!

By: Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon | January 15, 2017

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Sinulog Festival 2017 (Image: Government)

Cebu City is brimming with local and foreign tourists alike eager to be part of Sinulog, the grandest festival of the Queen City of the South. Whatever one’s interests, there are a lot of things to do for people to get into the spirit of the celebration. Below are some notable events and other places to go to for food and adventure during this occasion.

Schedule of Temporary Network Suspension

Image: Government

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has advised the public that all network services will be suspended on January 15, 2017 (Sunday) at 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM in areas affected during the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Sinulog Grand Parade Route

Map of the Sinulog 2017 Grand Parade (Image: Sinulog Foundation Inc.)

Due to a shortened route, the Sinulog Grand Parade is expected to finish earlier this year. The 2017 route will only span four kilometers, compared to the six-kilometer-route last year. The assembly area will be at Imus Ave., and the parade will pass through Gen. Maxilon Ave., taking a turn through Fuente Osmeña Circle and ending at Abellana Sports Complex. For security reasons, the National Telecommunications Commission will be temporarily shutting down cell sites along the routes of the parade.

Sinulog Parties

Partygoers can jam with Steve Aoki in one of many Sinulog dance parties this weekend. (Image: Plus63 Music & Arts Festival)

For the Sinulog weekend, the Cebu City Hall will be strictly implementing their no-street-party policy within 300 meters of the procession and grand parade routes, including N. Escario St. As such, only dance parties away from the 300-meter zone will be allowed. These include ETC Paintensity Sinulog 2017 in Mabolo, Sinulog Invasion 2017 and LifeDance 2017 at the South Road Properties, Sinulog Sensation inside Alchology, Mango St., Liv Nation in Mandaue and Plus63 Music and Arts Festival in Cebu Business Park. Moderate to heavy traffic can be expected along these areas due to the throng of revelers anticipated to join the parties.

Celosia, the official Sinulog flower, is aplenty in Sirao Garden

Visitors can take selfies and Instagram-worthy photos with the flowers at Sirao Garden, Little Amsterdam. (Image: Sirao Garden, Little Amsterdam)

Not many people know that celosia is the official Sinulog flower. Similar to the colors of the Sto. Niño’s cape, this ornamental flower has red and yellow blooms and can be found in abundance at the flower farms in the mountain barangay of Sirao. The place, located about 17 kilometers uphill from JY Square Mall in Lahug, has been dubbed as the “Little Amsterdam” of Cebu City. Entrance fee to the farm is PhP50 while fare for a habal-habal (motorcycle) ride can range from PhP30 to PhP450.

Lechon (roast suckling pig): A crowd favorite

Lechon is the star for homegrown brand Rico’s Lechon (Image: Rico’s Lechon)

Lechon (roast suckling pig) remains to be a crowd favorite and is one food travelers must try when in Cebu. One place that locals frequent is Rico’s Lechon. They offer two variants of lechon, original and spicy, which they both flavor only with garlic and leeks. Rico’s has branches in Mabolo and N. Escario St., but they also have a branch near the Mactan Cebu International Airport for those who plan to bring lechon as pasalubong (bring-home gift) for family and friends.

Sweet treats from Cebu

Rosquillos, a scalloped-edged biscuit, is a popular pasalubong for travelers. (Image: Titay’s)

Aside from lechon, Cebu is also known for its sweet offerings, particularly rosquillos and otap. These delicacies can be found in Titay’s, where a wide range of biscuits, bread, and pastries can be found. The store has been around since 1907 and is the brainchild of Corazon “Azon” Frasco. Titay’s main branch is located in Liloan, a municipality an hour or so away from Cebu City, but their products are sold in most supermarkets as well as pasalubong shops in the airport.

Miss Universe Swimwear Presentation at Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

Miss Universe 2016 contestants at a beach celebration last January 6. (Image: Miss Universe)

On January 17, the Miss Universe 2016 swimwear presentation will be held at Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Lapu-lapu City. Eighty-six contestants from various part of the globe will grace the 10-hour event, with half of them to stay the night at the resort. The ladies’ visit to Cebu is part of their 21-day itinerary for the beauty tilt.

While the CCTO has yet to issue a traffic advisory for the event, President Duterte has made it clear that he does not want to inconvenience the public with road closures for the pre-pageant activities as well as the main pageant of the Miss Universe competition.

About Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon

Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon is the current content supervisor for the Visayas region of ShoppersGuide Marketing, Inc. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from UP Cebu. She has previously worked for a business process outsourcing company, a community newspaper, and a global technology company. When not writing, she putters about in the kitchen, baking or testing new recipes.

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