[QUOTE=penfires;11857504]I was at the fluvial, daghan tao yes but most of those who woke up early to attend I think it's because of devotion. You can really feel the desire to see, wave, praise the Sto Nino as the boat carrying it niagi ubos sa bridge. It's something I can't explain.Ang uban okay ra sila as long as they can gaze sa boat carrying the image of the Sto Nino.
http://penfires.com/sinulog-2012-flu...ts-and-photos/
Before you comment anything not worthwhile, be there where the flow is. I, for one, prepare myself for the solemn procession by fasting without food or water for the whole day. I get dazed sometimes but my devotion prevailed and I do this every year. You will shudder each time the devotees wave, dance, shout and chant by the roadside as the carroza of our dear Sr. Sto. Nino pass by them. I walk under the heat of the sun or get drowsed by heavy rain but I have no complaints. Who am I to question that divine prerogative?
Regarding tradition or competition; the idea of competition was formulated to marshal and manage the event in its proper perspective. I don't have beef if it's done commercially, but during the early stages of the Sinulog, everyone were free to present. dance or join the mardi gras without the benefit of registering himself/herself/themselves to the affair. I remembered in 1984 when my unregistered contingent passed before the judge's bleacher and the presentor/announcer was at a loss of word of how to welcome our appearance before them. It was good at those early years but it is not nice to the image of the Sinulog and Cebu as a whole.