Titang Diola (with drum) main a Sinulog efficiency earlier than a home someday within the Eighties, screenshot from the ‘Sugbo, Sinulog ug ang Santo Niño’ episode of the Kabilin tv present aired on SugboTv in 2012.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — This yr, the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan retraces its historic origins and brings the celebration again to Barangay Mabolo, the birthplace of the enduring dance, to pay tribute to the revered keeper of the unique Sinulog beat.
The late Estelita “Titang” Diola, hailed because the Keeper of the unique Sinulog beat, devoted her life to preserving the custom.
The Sinug is a prayerful expression of religion. It’s marked by intricate dance steps, rhythmic drumbeats, and soulful chants in Outdated Bisaya and Latin. Historically carried out in outstanding Cebuano properties, the Sinug has grow to be a cultural treasure.
The Sinulog traces its roots again to the early Eighties in Mabolo, the place youngsters in costumes danced to the Santo Niño’s beat, guided by Titang Diola.
The visionaries behind the primary Sinulog parade, Mayor Florentino Solon and David Odilao Jr. conceptualized the competition after the success of the Bahug-Bahug sa Mactan, an occasion commemorating the Battle of Mactan.
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Estelita “Titang” Diola, on this photograph taken a yr earlier than she handed away, has taught generations of dancers the unique Cebuano “sin’ug” beat and prayer dance taught to her by her father. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Based on Elmer “Jojo” Labella, government director of the Sinulog Basis Inc. (SFI), the choice to carry the Sinulog again to Mabolo would replicate this yr’s theme of revisiting historical past.
“One in all our themes is to look again to the origin of the Sinulog, and that’s right here in Mabolo. This return is about honoring the roots and paying tribute to Inday Titang, who spearheaded this custom,” Labella advised CDN Digital in an interview.
Titang Diola’s contributions have been instrumental. Her group of performers, consisting of kids in makeshift costumes, grew to become the primary members in what would evolve right into a grand cultural celebration.
And for Mabolo, the return is “deeply vital.”
“Mabolo gyud ang sinugdanan,” Labella stated.
(Mabolo is the place it began.)
“It’s becoming to return and honor the origins, particularly for the Mabolo neighborhood, the place this custom holds a particular place,” he added.
Route
This yr’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, taking place on January 12, 2025, will comply with a historic route, starting at St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish in Mabolo after a Holy Mass.
The parade will traverse MJ Cuenco Avenue, Imus Street, and different streets earlier than culminating on the Cebu Metropolis Sports activities Middle, the place contingents will carry out their choreographed routines.
Lawyer Daniel Francis Diola Arguedo, the barangay captain of Mabolo, shared with CDN Digital his satisfaction on this historic return. A descendant of Titang Diola, Arguedo defined the motivation behind the request to carry the parade again to Mabolo.
“Ang major motive ra gyud kay si Lola Inday Titang, siya ang keeper sa Sinulog dance,” Arguedo stated.
(The first motive was actually due to Lola Inday Titang, she is the keeper of the Sinulog Dance.)
“In honor niya, mi-request mi nga diri mag-sugod. Receptive ra si Mayor [Raymond Alvin Garcia] kay yearly, ang grupo ni Titang maoy musayaw sa RAFI, so becoming ra gyud nga matagaan siya ug recognition,” he stated.
(In honor of her, we requested that it’ll begin right here. The mayor [Raymond Alvin Garcia] was receptive as a result of yearly, the group of Titang would dance in RAFI, so it’s actually becoming that she could be given recognition.)
Labella additionally stated that the return not solely honored Titang but in addition mirrored the neighborhood’s devotion.
“The Mabolo route is the place it began, and this revival is about connecting the previous with the current,” Labella stated.
For Mabolo residents, the return is a supply of satisfaction.
Arguedo shared, “Vital siya namo sa taga Mabolo kay taga Mabolo man gyud to si Inday Titang. Amo siya tagaan og dugo. That is about honoring her legacy and the custom she stored alive.”
(That is vital to us from Mabolo as a result of Inday Titang is from Mabolo. We are going to give her blood. That is about honoring her legacy and the custom she stored alive.)
Record of contingents
This yr’s parade is a nod to the Mabolo neighborhood’s important position in preserving the Sinulog’s roots. The choreography, led by an authentic member of Titang’s troupe, ensures that authenticity is on the coronary heart of the celebration.
The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan will function 18 contingents, every representing numerous barangays and faculties in Cebu Metropolis, together with:
- Barangay Kamagayan Landonian Tribe
- Asian Faculty of Expertise – Worldwide Instructional Basis
- Banauan Cultural Group
- Aktibong Binaliwhanon
- Banay San Nicolasnon
- Abellana Nationwide Faculty
- Lun-as Cultural Dance Troupe
- Barrio Basak Pardo
- Barangay Zapatera
- Inayawan Skills Guild
- Maampoong Baniladnon
- Hugpong Day Asanon
- Lambo Mabolo
- Hugpong Mananayaw ng Bayan – College of the Philippines
- Lumad Basakanon
- Hugpong Masidlakon House of Siomai Competition
- Banay Labangon
- Bag_Ong Tribu: Kasambagan
Titang Diola’s legacy has been preserved within the sleek steps and timeless drumbeats of the Sinulog dance. It has lived within the hearts of the neighborhood in Barangay Mabolo.
The return of the Sinulog in Mabolo is a journey again to the soul of Cebu’s devotion to the Santo Niño. It’s a homecoming steeped in reverence and gratitude.
Via the rhythmic beats of the Sinug and the colourful celebration of the competition, Titang Diola’s spirit endures, inspiring the following era to bounce not simply with their ft however with their hearts.
