Sinulog

This annual fiesta of the Senior Sto. Niño is a week-long celebration when locals and visitors alike flock to the streets to attend the religious festivities (the Saturday dawn fluvial parade around the Mactan Channel and the Saturday afternoon procession around the Sr. Sto. Niño Basilica) and the mardi-gras parade on Sunday.

The Sunday carnival atmosphere is brought alive by as many as 25,000 dancers representing the schools, business establishments and neighboring towns in creative reenactments of the battle of Mactan, between the local chieftain Lapu-lapu and the Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan.

The flurry of movements dancing to the rhythmic beat of drums are enhanced by colorfully costumed dancers, festive floats and other gimmicks that have become more outrageous through the years.