The Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, a vibrant and grand celebration held annually in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus), is more than just a religious event. It's a cultural extravaganza that brings together millions of Filipinos, showcasing their devotion, rich heritage, and sense of community. Held every third Sunday of January, this festival is one of the most anticipated in the country, drawing people from all corners of the Philippines and the world. However, in recent years, the Sinulog has also become a stage for a much deeper, more complex spectacle: a political theater that mirrors the tensions, contradictions, and moral quandaries within Filipino society.
A Festival Beyond Faith
The Sinulog Festival is traditionally a time for Filipinos to come together to celebrate faith, but it is also a time when the intersection of religion and politics becomes painfully apparent. The festival’s grand parades, street dancing, and religious processions offer a chance for people to express devotion, but they also often reveal the public’s deeper struggles with power, leadership, and justice.
In 2025, the festival saw a significant shift in public sentiment as Filipino Catholics in Cebu, during the festivities, expressed mixed feelings toward politicians. The crowd was reported to have booed certain politicians who were outspoken in exposing corruption, abuses, and lies, while some openly cheered for those whose pasts were marred with accusations of bloodshed and controversy.
This public display of approval and disapproval of certain figures begs the question: what does it reveal about the moral compass of the Filipino people? And how do we reconcile our faith and our political choices?
The Politics of Praise and Condemnation
A closer look at the 2025 Sinulog Festival reveals a complex dynamic. Politicians who have stood at the forefront of exposing corruption and fighting for justice have often been met with disdain and rejection from the crowd. In contrast, figures who have been associated with controversial actions, including alleged involvement in violent incidents and corruption, have received applause and admiration.
This dichotomy raises an important question about the Filipino public's selective morality. Why do some figures who speak out against injustice and abuse face public scorn, while those with stained reputations seem to enjoy widespread adoration?
In Cebu, this moral paradox is not new. Back in 2016, Vice President Jejomar Binay faced boos from the Sinulog crowd due to allegations of corruption, despite his status as a political leader. The boos were seen as an expression of public frustration with his leadership and his alleged role in financial scandals. It wasn’t just the crowd’s anger; it was a reflection of the shifting political tides and the Filipino people’s growing awareness of the need for accountability in governance.
In 2025, the political climate in the Philippines remained equally contentious. While some political figures continue to fight corruption and uphold human rights, others remain at the forefront of the political landscape despite controversies that have stained their reputations.
The Disconnect Between Faith and Politics
The Sinulog Festival, deeply rooted in Catholic values, is meant to celebrate truth, justice, compassion, and humility. Yet, the stark contrast between the reverence for the Santo Niño and the public’s political choices raises a critical issue: are Filipinos truly living by the values they espouse during religious events?
Catholicism in the Philippines emphasizes the importance of justice, truth, and the sanctity of life—values that should guide the political choices of the people. However, the reality of Filipino politics often seems to contradict these ideals. Politicians who challenge the status quo and expose corruption and injustice should, in theory, be celebrated. Yet, the public's tendency to favor figures with controversial pasts and to reject those pushing for meaningful change reveals a tension between what Filipinos say they believe in and how they act in the political arena.
The selective application of moral principles, based on political convenience, undermines the very values that the Sinulog and Catholic teachings aim to promote. This growing dissonance between religious faith and political allegiance is a phenomenon that warrants deeper reflection.
A Call for Reflection: Who Are We Really Honoring?
As the Sinulog Festival continues to evolve, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity of Filipino society. It reveals the ways in which politics, faith, and personal biases shape our public discourse and influence our choices.
In the end, the Sinulog Festival isn’t just about celebrating the Santo Niño or showcasing Cebu's cultural richness. It’s also a moment to reflect on our political beliefs and moral values. Are we truly upholding the principles of justice, truth, and compassion that our faith teaches us, or are we giving in to the allure of political convenience and selective morality?
Ultimately, it’s a call for Filipinos to reconsider whom they elevate as leaders and the values they choose to honor. If we want our choices to reflect the true spirit of the Sinulog Festival, we must align our actions with the core values that our faith teaches us. Only then can we ensure that we are truly honoring the legacy of the Santo Niño, a legacy of justice, truth, and righteousness.
In the end, the Sinulog is more than a festival. It’s a reflection of who we are as a people, and who we choose to become.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
