Sinulog Festival 2017

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The Sinulog Festival is one of the grandest, most distinguished and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. 

The major festival is held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño, or the child Jesus, who used to be the patron saint of the whole province of Cebu (since in the Catholic faith Jesus is not a saint, but God). It is fundamentally a dance ritual which remembers the Filipino people's pagan past and their recognition ofChristianity.

The festival features some the country's most colorful displays of ceremony and pageantry: participants clothe in bright-colored costumes dance to the rhythm of drums and native gongs. The streets are generally lined with vendors and pedestrians all wanting to witness the street-dancing. Smaller versions of the festival are also held in different parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a Sinulog sa Kabataan, which is performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the Grand Parade.

The word Sinulog comes from the Cebuano adverb sulog which roughly means "like water current movement;" it describes the forward-backward movement of the Sinulog dance. The dance consists of two steps forward and one step backward, done to the sound of drums. The dance is categorized into Sinulog-base, Free-Interpretation, and street dancing. Candle vendors at the Basilica continue to perform the traditional version of the dance when lighting a candle for the customer, usually accompanied by songs in the native language.

Sinulog is the ritual prayer-dance honoring Señor Santo Niño or the Child Jesus. An image of the Child Jesus is said to be the baptismal gift the Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan gave Hara Amihan (Humanay) of Zebu (now Cebu) in April 1521. The image, believed to be miraculous, is housed at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City.

The Sinulog dance moves are basically two steps forward and one step backward as the dancer sways to a distinct rhythm of drums. This movement resembles the current (Sulog) of what was known as Cebu’s Pahina River.

The cultural event has been commercialized as a tourist attraction and instead of traditional street-dancing from locals, Sinulog also came to mean a contest highlighting groups from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is traditionally held in the Cebu City Sports Complex, where most of Cebu's major provincial events are held.

SINULOG FESTIVAL 2017 Schedule of Activities 

January 5, 2017 (Thursday) — Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus

4:00 A.M. Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña

4:30 A.M. Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño

5:30 A.M. Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2017

January 6, 2017 (Friday) Sinulog 2017 Kick Off

10:00A.M. : Sinulog Trade Fair @ SM City Cebu by Department of Trade and Industry

2:00 P.M. : Solemn Mass (Basilica del Santo Niño)

3:00 P.M. Launching Parade (Basilica Del Santo Niño to CCSC)

5:30 P.M. Novena mass

7:00 P.M. Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña

January 7, 2017 (Saturday) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan

1:00 P.M. Parade of Participants (Capitol to CCSC)

2:00 P.M. Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan at CCSC

5:30 P.M. Novena mass

7:00 P.M. Ms. Cebu 2017 Pre Pageant Night @ Ayala Activity Center

10:00 P.M. Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Party Bands

January 8, 2017 (Sunday) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan

3:00 A.M. : Cebu City 2017 Marathon

1:00 P.M. : Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center

2:00 P.M. : Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan @ Cebu City Sports Center5:30 P.M. : Novena Mass

9:00 P.M. : Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 9, 2017 (Monday)

5:30 P.M. : Novena Mass

9:00 P.M. : Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 10, 2017 (Tuesday)

5:30 P.M. : Novena Mass

9:00 P.M. : Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 11, 2017 (Wednesday)

9:00 A.M. : Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)5:30 P.M. : Novena Mass

7:00 P.M. : Ms. Cebu 2017 Coronation Night @ Waterfront Hotel Cebu City

8:00 P.M. : Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña)

9:00 P.M. : Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 12, 2017 (Thursday)

9:00 A.M. : Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)

6:00 P.M. : Balik Cebu Welcome Party @ Ayala Activity Center

6:30 P.M. : Sinulog Festival Queen Runway Competition and Photoshoot

8:00 P.M. : Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces

8:00 P.M. : Sinulog 2016 Idol Grand Finals @ the Fuente Osmeña

9:00 P.M. : Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña, Street Party Bands

January 13, 2017 (Friday) Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)

4:00 A.M. : Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña – Sto. Niño

9:00 A.M. : Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent/Floats/Higante/Puppeteers)

@ Cebu City Sports Center Gym

6:00 P.M. : Sinulog 2016 Dance Crew Finals @ Cebu City Sports Center

7:30 P.M. : Sinulog Festival Queen 2016 Coronation Night @ Cebu City Sports Center

8:00 P.M. : Cebu Popular Music Festival @ Cebu Coliseum

January 14, 2017 (Saturday)

6:00 A.M. : Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of the Sto. Niño

9:00 A.M. : Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Santo Niño

12:00 P.M. : 12th “The Street Vibration & Big Bike Rally 2017” by V-max Owner’s Group, Inc. Cebu Chapter

2:00 P.M. : Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño

7:00 P.M. : Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu

7:00 P.M. : Street Party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia

January 15, 2017 (Sunday) – Sinulog Grand Parade

4:00 A.M. : Mañanita Mass at Basilica del Sto. Niño

6:00 A.M. : Pontifical Mass

8:00 A.M. : Holy Mass at Cebu City Sports Center

9:00 A.M. : Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off

7:00 P.M. : Grand Finale and Grand Fireworks at CCSC

9:00 P.M. : Pyrospectacular Show (Pyromusical Show at SM City Cebu)

5:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M. : Sinulog DJ Mixing Grand Finals Night at Fuente Osmeña Circle

12:00 MN : Sinulog Fireworks at SRP (South Road Properties)

January 16, 2017 (Monday) : Awarding Ceremonies @ Cebu City Sports Center

January 20, 2017 (Friday) “HUBO”

January 31, 2017 (Tuesday) : Judging Sinulog 2017 Photo Contest

February 1, 2017 (Wednesday) : Judging of Finalist in Short Film / Video Documentary and Music Video Contest

2017 SINULOG STREETDANCING PARADE ROUTE

Cebu Sinulog Grand Parade will start 9AM. From Imus Road to Gen. Maxilom Ave to Fuente Osmeña Circle, Osmeña Blvd and ends up at Cebu City Sports Center for the Ritual presentation.

Source: sinulog.ph

February 4, 2017

1:00 P.M. : Screening of Finalists Sinulog Short Film Festival @ SM City Cebu

6:00 P.M. : Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest, Short Film and Video Documentary Contest @ SM City Cebu

February 4, 2017 – February 13, 2017 : Photo Exhibit “Winning Photos Sinulog 2017″ @ SM City Cebu

The Country’s Biggest, Loudest, And Most Exciting All-OPM Festival Is Back! : “Rakrakan: OPM Against Drugs Festival”

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Rakrakan, arguably the Philippines’ biggest, loudest, and most exciting all-OPM festival brand, is set to shake the local music scene once again on January 14, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Aptly rebranded as “Rakrakan: OPM Against Drugs Festival” to raise awareness on drug abuse and addiction through music and the arts, Rakrakan has grown from a small-scale production to a huge5-stage concert featuring 100 OPM bands, a skateboarding exhibition and competition, street art contest, merch exhibit, and many other activities.

“Rakrakan: OPM Against Drugs Festival” boasts a wide range of genres from a diverse mix of independent and mainstream artists which include Ebe Dancel, SUD, Jensen & The Flips, BP Valenzuela, Autotelic, Pedicab, Taken By Cars, and Bullet Dumas on the Indie stage;CharicePempengco, KZ Tandingan, Sponge Cola, December Avenue, Barbie Almalbis, Mayonnaise, Drive Me To Juliet, and Gracenoteon the Move stage; Slapshock, Wilabaliw, Kjwan, Rocksteddy, Chicosci, Typecast, Philia, and Francoon the Mosh stage; Valley of Chrome, Mr. Bones and the Boneyard Circus, WUDS, Philippine Violators, Skychurch, The Late Isabel, Days of January, and Lost threadson the Slam stage; and Brownman Revival, Grin Department, The Chongkeys, Kartel at Lion and the Scouts, KokoiBaldo and Juan Gapang, On The Spot, Chocolate Factory, and Collie Herb on the Groove stage. Performances will run simultaneously on all stages – as it has always been since 2013 – which promises yet another wild and breathtaking experience for every OPM fan in attendance.

Aside from music, “Rakrakan: OPM Against Drugs Festival” offers these pocket events guaranteed to maximize the Rakrakan experience:

Skateboarding Exhibition and Competition –a staple since 2013, the skateboarding exhibition and competition features a free-for-all skateboarding area for attendees, with freebies and prizes at stake for contest participants in several categories including Best Run and Best Trick.

Street Art Contest– five street art teams will endeavor to bring their creativity to life in this activity; winning teams will be judged based on their originality, style, and design. In addition, a “freedom wall” will be setup for all guests who wish to express their creativeness and leave their impression for future generations of OPM supporters.

Merch Exhibit– currently thelargest congregation of indiemerchandisers in Metro Manila, with over 50 brandsparticipating annually. Festival-goerswill find everything here from tees and tank tops to shorts and jeans, jackets, socks, jewelry, footwear, artworks, sunglasses, pins, caps, toys, and plenty of other goods at very affordable prices!

“OPM Against Drugs” efforts shall also be undertaken in cooperation with the Pasay City Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Dangerous Drugs Board in order to educate the youth on the dangers of substance abuse and addiction.

Side activities such as face painting and henna tattooing,brand-sponsored games, information drives, and artist meet-and-greet (for VIP ticket holders) will be there to complement the whole festival experience.

Early-bird tickets are now available at all SM Tickets outlets nationwide for only Php 500 and VIPs at Php 1,500 (excluding SM Tickets charges) for limited slots only; door prices are at Php 600 and Php 2,000, respectively.

Don’t miss it!

“Rakrakan: OPM Against Drugs Festival” is presented by Rakista Radio; co-presented by Red Horse Beer, Draven Shoes, and Dickies; and sponsored by D&D Custom Guitars; with Official Venue Partner, SM Mall of Asia.

Visit www.rakrakanfestival.com for more details.

National Broadband Plan To Boost Fixed-Line Internet Service Penetration

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The country’s fixed-line broadband speed and penetration expected to further improve once the national broadband plan implemented.

National Telecommunications Commission Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios made this comment after Akamai, a leading content delivery network services provider for media and software delivery and cloud security solution, noted in its third quarter survey that the Philippines had registered marked improvements in terms of connectivity.

Based on Akamai’s Q3 report, the country’s average connection speed (IPv4) for mobile internet was now ranked first in the Asia Pacific region, registering an average speed of 13.9 Mbps up from 8.5 Mbps in the second quarter.

On the table presented in the study, the Philippines’ average mobile speed 13.9 Mbps came in the fastest in the Asia Pacific cluster, topping the speeds of Australia (12.8 Mbps), Japan (11.6 Mbps),South Korea (11.2 Mbps), Idonesia (10.9 Mbps), New Zealand (10.8 Mbps), Taiwan (9.4 Mbps), China (8.9 Mbps), Singapore (8.5 Mbps), Hongkong (6.1 Mbps), Thailand (6.1 Mbps), Sri Lanka (5.4 Mbps),India (3.5 Mbps), and Vietnam (3.4 Mbps).

The report also cited an improvement on the “above 10 Mbps broadband adoption” category, of which Philippines adoption rate is now at 5.4 percent, representing a growth rate for the country of 9.1 percent QoQ and 517 percent YoY.

The Philippines also showed an improvement in the “15 Mbps broadband adoption” category, of which the country is now at 2.4 percent adoption, or an improvement 11 percent QoQ 645 percent YoY.

According to Cabarios, the significant improvement in the mobile internet speed may be attributed to the recent activation by Globe and Smart of Long Term Evolution (LTE) cell sites, making use of the 700 MHz spectrum.

He added that once the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) has finalized the national broadband plan, it will give a boost to fixed-line internet speed and improve coverage across the country.

Source (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=951080&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=Keyword&andor=and&mdte_arch=12&ddte_arch=27&ydte_arch=2016

Debut Of Bright Lights, New Documentary On Loving Relationship Of Carrie Fisher And Debbie Reynolds, Premieres Same Time As The U.S. This Sunday, January 8 At 9AM Exclusively On HBO

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In light of the recent and unexpected deaths of both Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, the documentary BRIGHT LIGHTS: STARRING CARRIE FISHER AND DEBBIE REYNOLDS will debut same time as the U.S. on Sunday, January 8 at 9am, with a same day primetime encore at 9pm, exclusively on HBO.

The story of a family’s complicated love, this documentary is an intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity. Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds, live in the same Beverly Hills compound. The 83-year-old grand dame still has a Las Vegas act, but performing is taking its toll. Carrie’s response is both hilarious and heart-rending. Featuring vintage family films that bring iconic old-world Hollywood to life, as well as extensive vérité footage, the film is directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens.

BRIGHT LIGHTS: STARRING CARRIE FISHER AND DEBBIE REYNOLDS has already received audience and critical acclaim at many prestigious film festivals, including the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival and theNew York Film Festival.

Who’s Who in “The Lego Batman Movie”?

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With barely a month before The LEGO Batman Movie opens in cinemas, Warner Animation Group has released the official descriptions of the animated film’s cool characters. Get up close and personal with Batman, Bruce Wayne, Robin, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, The Joker, Harley Quinn and Alfred Pennyworth in the following dossier.

BATMAN. A night-stalking, crime-fighting vigilante and heavy metal rapping machine. Super Hero. Master Builder. Batman is all this and much more. Equipped with a utility belt packed with Batarangs, grappling guns and other useful inventions, and backed by a Batcave full of cutting-edge vehicles and Batsuits for every occasion, Batman has sworn to forever defend Gotham City against all crooks and villains. Batman always works alone. He also has a really sweet music career going – thanks for asking.

Awesomeness: 11/10

Bat-Fact: Thinks his roommate, Bruce Wayne, is a super-cool guy.

BRUCE WAYNE. As the charming, handsome and wealthy CEO of Wayne Industries, voted Gotham’s Most Eligible Bachelor for, like, forever, Bruce Wayne is the envy of all who meet him. No one suspects that this seemingly carefree billionaire has a super-secret identity. If you guessed he was Superman, you’d be close…but wrong.

Camera-Friendly: 10/10

Bat-Fact: Has never been seen in the same place as Kite-Man. Hmmmm….could it be?

ROBIN. Batman has always battled alone against the forces of injustice and evil, but now he’s suddenly got a kid sidekick to deal with. Where Batman is silent, serious and brooding, Robin is loud, enthusiastic and constantly bursting with excitement about getting to work with his favorite Super Hero and new dad. Only time will tell if he proves himself to be a boy blunder or a true Boy Wonder! Good intentions. Questionable fashion sense.

Gymnastic Ability: 10/10

Bat-Fact: When not fighting crime, Robin practices groovy dance moves and the gymnastics-based martial art of gym-kata.

DICK GRAYSON. Sometimes a celebrity billionaire who’s trying to show off at a big gala event adopts a young orphan. It probably happens all the time, right? Well, Dick Grayson is that kid, and he can’t believe his good luck in getting a cool new dad like Bruce Wayne, with a huge empty mansion and his own personal butler. He can’t wait to find out all about his brand-new family, and to take his first family photo.

Energy: Off the charts.

Bat-Fact: Might have had some circus training.

BARBARA GORDON. Growing up as the daughter of Gotham City’s top cop has given Barbara Gordon a strong background in law and order. But as much as she respects her father’s experience and wisdom, this proud graduate of Harvard for Police believes the city would be better served by a more modern style of crime-fighting. Now that Jim Gordon is retiring, it’s time for a new Commissioner Gordon to clean up the streets, and she wants to work together with Batman to achieve this.

Respect for Vigilantes: 0/10

Bat-Fact: Wore her SWAT gear to prom.

BATGIRL. Although she’s new at being a Super Hero, Batgirl is every bit Batman’s equal as a crime-fighter. True, they disagree about methods – she believes it takes a village, and he insists on working alone – but her experience as a former police officer and her desire to protect Gotham City make her the perfect partner when things get tough and villains are on the rise. She might even have a few things to teach the Dark Knight about busting bad guys.

Discipline: 10/10

Bat-Fact: Has been known to take out the villains before Batman can park the Batmobile.

THE JOKER. The laughing lunatic. The Clown Prince of Crime. Batman’s greatest enemy. That’s how The Joker sees himself. With his white skin, green hair and constant grin, this unhinged leader of Gotham’s colorful criminal underworld has made it his life’s goal to cure the city of its all-so-serious gloom. He might break the law, but he really just wants to make people smile…and to rule the city…and to get Batman to finally admit that he is his greatest enemy. Is that too much for a Super-Villain to ask for?

Comedic Timing: 10/10

Bat-Fact: Number of times The Joker has succeeded in taking over Gotham City…zero.

HARLEY QUINN. Mirthful, mischievous and just a little bit malevolent, Harley Quinn is The Joker’s number one sidekick, henchperson and fan. She’s endlessly loyal to her beloved Puddin’, making her the only one in all of Gotham City that he can fully count on to help with his sinisterly silly schemes. And if Harley can cause enough of a distraction for Batman that The Joker can get away? That’s all the better!

Bad Romance: 10/10

Bat-Fact: Named MVP of her roller derby team.

ALFRED PENNYWORTH. Alfred has been the butler to the Wayne family for generations. Hard-working, long-suffering and utterly loyal, he sees it as his responsibility not just to keep Wayne Manor and the Batcave clean and tidy, but also to look after his employer’s well-being…even when Batman doesn’t necessarily agree. He has been in many ways a father figure to Batman, always encouraging him to be a better man. Cooks an amazing Lobster Thermidor.

Loyalty: 10/10

Bat-Fact: Worth a lot more than a penny.

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made The LEGO® Movie a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Will Arnett reprises his starring role from The LEGO Movie as the voice of LEGO Batman, aka Bruce Wayne. Zach Galifianakis (the Hangover films) stars as The Joker; Michael Cera (Superbad) as the orphan Dick Grayson; Rosario Dawson (TV’s Daredevil) as Barbara Gordon; and Ralph Fiennes (the Harry Potter films) as Alfred.

The LEGO® Batman Movie is directed by Chris McKay, and produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Roy Lee, who worked together on The LEGO Movie.

Opening across the Philippines on Thursday, February 9, The LEGO Batman Movie is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.