All systems go for Cebu Sinulog 2026

CEBU CITY – All systems go for the Sinulog Festival 2026, according to a multi-sector group organizing various activities and events from the daily Novena prayer from January 8 to the fluvial parade to the street dancing around the City and the showdown festival on January 18, 2026 at the Abellana Sports Complex, Cebu City.

In a Kapihan sa PIA on January 7, Elmer Labella, executive director, Sinulog Foundation Inc. and Rev. Fr. Jules Van Almerez, media liaison Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu told media that coordination meetings have been done tackling various aspects of security, safety, routes, guidelines relative to the religious events as well as the cultural side of Sinulog.

“We are expecting more than one to two million people, pilgrims, tourists, others on the Sinulog Festival Day on January 18 as has been experienced through the years from the early morning Novena to the Fluvial parade and the day itself.  We always pray for peaceful and fun-filled festivities, which the Sto. Nino always gives us good weather and peaceful celebration,” Fr. Jules said.

Fr. Jules asks the pilgrims to dress appropriately when attending the daily Novena and masses while the PNP and the Cebu Port Authority also remind the public to refrain from carrying big backpacks and other sharp items.  Stricter security checks are being implemented at the ports.

P/LTCol Franco Rudolf Oriol, deputy director for administration, Cebu City Police Office (CPPO) said that the PNP is deploying more than 1,700 police personnel with augmentation from the other law enforcement units to secure the people and the various Sinulog activities in the City.

“There is a need of a strategic, unified, and well-coordinated deployment of security forces to ensure a safe and meaningful celebration. The Police assures that final preparations for the Novenario are underway, including signages for entrance and exit around the Basilica,” Oriol said.

He requests devotees and pilgrims to respect the signages and to keep safety and spirit as top priorities, including the involvement of various tiers and tracking areas, with a focus on maintaining order and safety.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism (DOT-7) OIC-regional director, Gelena Asis-Dimpas bared that the Sinulog is a tourism magnet with millions of tourists from all over the world are expected to come. She noted that almost always, there is an increase of tourists’ arrivals to Cebu every January by five to 10 percent.

Fr. Jules added that most governments in Cebu have expressed their intention to attend and sponsor the event, but he emphasized the importance of maintaining the religious nature of the celebration and avoiding any celebrity-focused events.

The Basilica expresses a welcoming attitude towards the city governments' participation, as long as it aligns with the religious theme and concludes with a focus on ensuring that the celebration remains a religious event, free from any secular influences, Fr. Jules said.