The joy and fun of the Sinulog festival did not end in the streets of Cebu City but also traversed the vicinities of DSWD Field Office 7 Centers and Residential Care Facilities in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City.

Clients and residents did not miss the fun and excitement of the most celebrated festival during the first ‘Sinulog sa CRCF 2025’ at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II on January 24, 2025.

Traditionally, Cebu City celebrates the festival on the third Sunday of January in honor of the Child Jesus or the Santo Niño de Cebu.

Home for Girls Center Head Jennifer A. Abastillas said it was the first time the residents of four facilities in Labangon converged for a unified Sinulog Festival. “We have been dancing for the Santo Niño in Home for Girls as our way of thanksgiving. We are thrilled to bring this tradition to the rest of the CRCFs,” she shared.

While it was the first time for the CRCFs, the AVRC had their initial celebration on January 17 through a holy mass, a colorful parade, and food booths enjoyed by its staff and their persons with disability clients.

Contingents representing the Home for Girls, Regional Haven for Women, and the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II vied in various categories: Street Dancing, Ritual Showdown, Festival Costume, and the Festival Queen by showcasing their colorful costumes and lively performances.

The Reception and Study Center for Children representatives served as guest performers since RSCC residents are children 0 to 6 years old and cannot join the contest.

RSCC Center Head Jenneth R. Aquino shared that the purpose of the activity is to strengthen collaboration and foster a caring and loving relationship among the residents and workers. She expressed that their collective enthusiasm fuels the event and that this activity demonstrates a united CRCFS under DSWD 7.

The ritual showdown of the three contingents was the centerpiece of the occasion as contingents paraded, danced, and chanted ‘Pit Senyor,’ a Cebuano phrase, expressing devotion to the Santo Niño.

The persons with disabilities of the AVRC II emerged as champions of the ritual showdown, followed by the Haven for Women and Home for Girls as first and second placers, respectively.

The bright and colorful costumes out from recycled materials seized the Best in Festival Costume for the Home for Girls. They also won the Best in Street Dance Competition.

A Haven for Women resident who gracefully carried her contemporary Filipiana dress took home the Sinulog Festival Queen 2025 award.

Culminating the event, everyone took center stage to honor Santo Niño by showcasing their community dance to the official 2025 festival theme song, Beats for Unity.

According to the organizers, the activity is one way to immerse their vulnerable clients and residents in a socio-cultural form of rehabilitation along with spiritual enhancement.

“We have seen the success of this activity, and we hope to continue this tradition to increase the devotion to Santo Niño and bring hope to everyone in the years to come,” Aquino remarked. ###

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