CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City celebrates success as the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival 2024 conclude on Sunday, January 21.

Numerous worshipers sing and gesture towards the “Gozos” or the “Batobalani sa Gugma” (Magnet of Love) throughout the Novena Masses, culminating in a reverent Pontifical Mass overseen by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma on Sunday morning.

At the same time, residents and visitors from various parts of the globe witness the city’s parades, observing traditional dance presentations that highlight the rich heritage and culture of diverse municipalities and cities in Cebu.

This all leads to a magnificent festivity at the South Road Properties, featuring elaborate festival floats and adorned with costumed higantes (giant puppets). Notable personalities such as Benjie Paras and his sons Andre and Kobe, along with Jak Roberto and Paul Salas, participate in this grand celebration.

Meanwhile, the Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and the Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City achieved significant success this year. They emerged as champions in the Sinulog Festival 2024 Free Interpretation and Sinulog-Based categories, respectively, earning prizes valued in the millions.

Canlaon’s group secured the second position in the street dancing competition, along with earning distinctions for Best in Costume and Best in Musicality in the Free Interpretation categories.

Guadalupe’s Banauan Cultural Group claimed the title of Best in Costume in the Sinulog-Based category.

Below is the list of Sinulog Festival 2024 winners:

Best in Ritual Showdown (Free Interpretation):

Grand champion — Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City

2nd — Tribu Kamanting Performing Arts Guild of San Jose, Dinagat Islands

3rd — Lumad Basakanon

4th — Banay San Nicolasnon

5th — Tribu Mabolokon

Best in Ritual Showdown (Sinulog-Based):

Grand champion — Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe

2nd — Abellana National School

3rd — Inayawan Talents Guild and Cultural Dance Troupe

4th — Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon

5th — Nagkahiusang Pamilyang Cebu Gen

Best in Musicality (Sinulog-Based):

1st — Banay Labangon of Barangay Labangon

2nd — Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe

3rd — Inayawan Talents Guild and Cultural Dance Troupe

4th — Pundok Baniladnon sa Sugbo of Barangay Banilad

5th — Abellana National School

Best in Musicality (Free Interpretation):

1st — Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City

2nd — Tribu Kamanting Performing Arts Guild of Dinagat Islands

3rd — Lumad Basakanon

4th — Tribu Mabolokon

5th — Activong Binaliwhanon

Best in Costume:

Sinulog-Based — Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe

Free Interpretation — Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City

Street Dancing:

1st — Lumad Basakanon

2nd — Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City

3rd — Inayawan Talents Guild and Cultural Dance Troupe of Barangay Inayawan

4th — Tribu Kamanting of Dinagat Islands

5th — Nagkahiusang Pamilya Cebu Gen

Float Category:

1st — IPI’s Main Float

2nd — MLhuillier’s Bird Sanctuary

3rd — The 65th Anniversary Float of IPI

Higante Category:

1st — The Juana After the First Wedding

2nd — Rags to Riches

3rd — Celso Ampalayo’s The Candle Vendor

Puppeteers Category:

1st place — #7 Angelique Marie Aranas

2nd place — #3 Ryan Cuyos

3rd place — #8 Orly Johnson Fuentes

Sinulog Festival 2024 witnessed the participation of 21 contingents, with 17 vying for the top prizes. According to Sinulog and City authorities, a collective total of 123 participants took part in the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown held on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the South Road Properties.

Sources:(1),(2),(3),(4)

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