Cebu was formerly known as Sugbu, Zebu or Sibuy. It was inhabited by Malay people of an Islamic religion.
On 1521, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu and was welcomed by the native chieftain Rajah Humabon and his wife, Hara Amihan. Magellan introduced Christianity to the natives and few days later, Rajah Humabon and his wife were baptized into Christianity. Magellan gave Hara Amihan the image of Senor Santo Nino or the Child Jesus as a baptismal gift. Magellan was then killed by Lapu Lapu who was against Spain's colonization.
The image of the Child Jesus was placed in a fortified settlement in Villa del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus which was destroyed by the Spaniards during the colonization war. 45 years after, the inage was found undamaged. Since then, the image was said to be miraculous. It became a symbol of accepting Christianity by the Sugbuanons.
Cebu created a festival in honor of Senor Santo Nino and we call it the Sinulog Festival. It is held annually on the 3rd Sunday of January in Cebu City. It became one of the popular festivals in the Philippines. Other places in the Philippines has their own versions of this festival.
The word SINULOG comes from the Cebuano word "sulog" which means like water current movement. This movement describes thr forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance.
Today, the image is being housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in downtown Cebu City.
The Sinulog festival commemorates the Filipino's acceptance of Christianity.
