The iconic Sinulog Grand Parade is set to make a celebrated return to its beloved traditional path through the heart of Cebu City in January 2026. This marks a significant homecoming for the festival after years of debate over its location.
A Return to Familiar Streets
On January 14, 2026, the vibrant procession will once again animate the major thoroughfares of P. del Rosario Street, Imus Street, and Maxilom Avenue. The parade will culminate, as tradition dictates, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) on Osmeña Boulevard. This decision follows previous public dissatisfaction when former mayor Michael Rama moved the event to the South Road Properties (SRP). Many Cebuanos had perceived that relocation as favoring specific business interests over the festival's cultural roots and widespread community benefit.
Throughout its 46-year history, Sinulog has been a powerful economic engine. Its presence boosts revenue for establishments of all sizes, from grand hotels and shopping malls to local restaurants, humble sari-sari stores, and sidewalk vendors. The festival has historically migrated across the city: starting in the downtown district, then moving to the North Reclamation Area, and later to the land that now houses the Cebu Business Park.
A Proposal for Rotating Festival Routes
This history of relocation has inspired a forward-thinking proposal: why not systematically rotate the Sinulog parade route to share its prosperity? The core idea is to keep the CCSC as the final destination but change the procession's path each year. This strategy would ensure fairness, allowing new business corridors to thrive and prompting infrastructural improvements in different city districts annually.
The proposed model takes a cue from the International Olympic Committee's bidding process. Instead of cities, clusters of Cebu City barangays would form groups and submit bids to host the Sinulog route. A winning bid would be selected yearly, with corresponding funds allocated to beautify and prepare the chosen path.
Potential Barangay Clusters and Routes
Several compelling combinations have been suggested as examples of how this system could work:
- Barangays Guadalupe, Calamba, and Sambag 1 could host the parade along V. Rama Avenue and J. Alcantara Street.
- Barangays Tejero, Tinago, Parian, and Kalubihan could bring the festival back through the historic Colon downtown area.
- Barangays Tisa, Pardo, Mambaling, San Nicolas, and Pahina Central might showcase the festivities along F. Llamas Street and N. Bacalso Avenue.
This innovative approach offers multiple advantages. It democratizes the festival's economic windfall, promotes urban development in various zones, and could even help mitigate traffic conflicts with other major projects, like the operational Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. By rotating the route, Sinulog can continue to be a force for unity and progress for all of Cebu City.
