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Broke at the Sinulog: Of sinugba and habal-habal


When it comes to Philippine fiestas, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu may just be one of the most popular celebrations. The best part is, even during peak season, you won't need to spend a lot to join in the fun.

As thousands of locals and foreigners fly to Cebu to celebrate the annual festival in honor of the Santo Niño (Christ Child), it is expected that prices of everything from airfare to accommodations is higher. However, with a bit of planning, a small budget can go a long way.

A young dancer smiles widely for the crowd during the Grand Sinulog Parade. Amanda Fernandez

Getting there

A couple of months before your trip, keep an eye out for seat sales from budget airlines like Cebu Pacific, Tiger Air, or Airphil Express. Through the year-round seat sales, you can score a roundtrip ticket to Cebu from Manila for a little less than P1,400, if you are fortunate.

Every so often, try to check the websites of the budget airlines during midnight, so as to be the first to book flights during one of the sales.

From Manila, a trip to Mactan Airport is roughly an hour and fifteen minutes. At the airport, head to the departure area at the second floor to ride a white, metered taxi, which is less expensive than the yellow ones at the arrival gate. It takes another 20 to 30-minute ride to reach Cebu City, which will cost around  P150 via white taxi, depending on the traffic and drop-off point.

Where to stay

As early as October, many budget hotels and inns are already fully-booked for the Sinulog.

Since many streets will be closed for the Sinulog Grand Parade, it would be best to book a room near the festivities.Try the Apple Tree Suites, where rooms can go as low as P998 per night for two people, located at the Fuente Osmeña area. Also good is the Sampaguita Suites along Magallanes Street. Single rooms can go as low as P689 per night; alternatively, pay P1,498 for a room good for four.

The procession passes right outside these hotels, which is also walking distance to the Baseline street parties.

If you are traveling in a big group, you should try Sugbutel Bed and Bath Hotel along Osmeña Boulevard, near SM City Cebu. Doom-type rooms can go as low as P4,200 per night for around eight people.

Of course, it's a lot cheaper to stay at a family member or friend's place in the city. Just remember to return the kindness with a simple gift or dinner.

How to get around

Walk. If you are staying near the Fuente Osmeña area, chances are, most of the places you need to go to are at a walkable distance.

Remembering that most streets are closed during the Grand Parade, you will have no choice but to walk.

However, if you really need to travel a longer way, you may opt to ride a habal-habal (motorcycle ride). During the festivities, each ride may cost P200 up to P300.

Where to eat

A barbecue vendor takes advantage of the large crowd during the Grand Parade. Amanda Fernandez

Cebu is not known as the food capital of the Philippines for nothing.

A must try in the city is Brian's Ribs at Casa Verde. The two hefty slabs of ribs come with carrots, corn, and rice, totalling P208. This meal can be shared by two people.

Also at Casa Verde is The Mighty Ton, a burger that's twelve inches in diameter and packed with one kilo of beef. It only costs P850, and can be shared by six to eight people. Their main branch is located at Lim Tian Teng street, but there's also one at the IT Park and Ayala Terraces mall.

Another favorite is Larsian BBQ along Fuente Osmeña. For sinugba or inihaw lovers, this is the place to go. For less than P150, you get a heavy meal of barbecue, liempo, squid, and other food for inihaw. Don't forget to try puso (hanging rice) for only P3 per piece to complete your meal.

Of course, one cannot go to Cebu and not eat lechon. Try CnT or Zubuchon for dine-in or take-out for pasalubong. Zubuchon even has a branch inside the airport for pasalubong needs.

What to do

During Sinulog, a week-long celebration that builds itself to climax during the Grand Parade on Sunday, thousands of devotees from all over the country flock to Cebu to celebrate the religious festival in honor of the Santo Niño.

On Sunday, the last and most festive day of the celebration, people line up the streets along Jones Avenue for the Mardi Gras-like Grand Sinulog Parade. The atmosphere's high as the crowd cheered for the higantes and colorful floats that paraded down the streets. Every so often, someone will chant "Pit Senyor!" and everyone would join in.

On the other hand, just a short distance from the Fuente Osmeña Circle, a different scene is taking place. Along Mango Avenue, a pilgrimage of beer-soaked and paint-smeared young adults make their way to the Baseline Recreation Center, where another party—much, much more wild—was happening.

You take your pick. The scene at the Baseline usually attracts more young adults, while older devotees stay and watch the parade, which lasts throughout the day. — VC, GMA News