Sinulog Festival 2022

Tanjay City

The Sinulog Festival 2022 of Tanjay City was celebrated on July 24, 2022. After two years since the start of the pandemic, Tanjay is finally bringing back the different festivities for their city fiesta. For this year’s street dancing and showdown competition, only three groups participated. In the previous festivals, almost all of the barangays would join in the grand celebration. However, since there are still health protocols to follow due to COVID-19, participants and audience were somehow limited.

Sinulog Festival 2022

The said event is also known as Sinulog de Tanjay or Sinulog sa Tanjay in local terms. It is a thanksgiving celebration held in honor of St. James the Great (Señor Santiago Apostol). It is believed that Tanjay City was one of the first fully Christian town in the province. When the Moro (pirates) tried to steal the women of the town, Christian soldiers charged to battle. Almost in the grasp of defeat, the town prayed to Señor Santiago to protect them and save them. Just like that, the Moro soldiers lost. Every year since, the town honors their patron saint for keeping them safe.

Street Dancing of Sinulog sa Tanjay 2022

Before the street dancing, a quick opening program was held at the Tanjay City gymnasium in Osmeña Park. It started with an opening prayer and singing of the national anthem. Then, it was followed by a quick speech from the city mayor, and the offertory. Soon after, the contingents were out on the street to dance and show their best smiles.

Sinulog Showdown

After the street dancing, the groups were given a break to have lunch and prepare themselves for the showdown competition back in the gymnasium. There are a few prominent dance moves that are shown by each of the groups. Like “s”-ing through a line of dancers, sword and spear fighting, and the “viva” hands. You probably can’t imagine the dancing, so watch the video below: