This Week in Cebu (January 15 to 21, 2018)

The Cebu City Public Information Office (PIO) has released the carousel route of the Sinulog grand parade. On Sunday, January 21, the parade will start at the Sinulog grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) and will pass by P. del Rosario St., Imus Road, Gen. Maxilom Ave., and Osmena Blvd. The parade will end at CCSC as well. Vehicles and other obstructions will be cleared or towed on January 20, while the said roads will be closed on 5:00 AM of January 21. There will be traffic rerouting for public and private vehicles.

Diners can head to a food park that complements the festive air of the Sinulog celebrations. Fiesta Minore, located at Cardinal Rosales Road besides Landers Superstore, is a lifestyle hub which offers food, crafts, and entertainment to visitors.

Foodies can feast on familiar favorites like barbeque and Cebu lechon (roast suckling pig) or sample international fare like Mexican, Japanese, and Italian dishes. There are also vendors selling fruit drinks and alcoholic beverages. Live acoustic bands and Zumba dancers also stage performances at the park.

Fiesta Minore is open from 5:00 PM to 12:00 midnight.

Kids and kids at heart can visit Kasadya sa SRP, the Cebuano version of the perya (carnival). First opened in 2012, Kasadya sa SRP opened again to the public last December 8. The amusement park features 30 rides like Ferris wheels, bump cars, and inflatables, to name a few. Entrance fee is at PhP20 on weekdays and PhP25 on weekends. Rides cost between PhP30 to PhP50.

After trying the rides, one can have drinks or refreshments from Sugbo Mercado concessionaires at the park. There are also barbeque stalls, a beer garden, and performances from live bands.

Visitors who would like to bring a take-home gift or pasalubong from Cebu can head to Taboan Public Market to buy danggit (dried rabbitfish). Danggit is best eaten for breakfast dipped in vinegar and served with garlic rice. Aside from danggit, one can also find other dried seafood products from Bantayan like fish tocino (cured dried fish) and dried pusit (squid).

Taboan Public Market is located at Brgy. Pahina Central, Cebu City. It is a few blocks away from the main campus of University of San Jose Recoletos. It is accessible by taxi or jeepneys marked 04C, 17B, and 17C.

Lots of Sinulog parties and concerts will be staged around Cebu City this week. But for Sinulog revelers who would like to watch Bisrock bands, one event to go to is Smash Sinulog 2018. Local acts like Sky Glitch, Glass of Dirt, and many more will perform this January 21, 5:00 PM, at Handuraw Pizza White Gold. Admission is free.

There will be more activities this week as the Sinulog grand parade draws near. From January 15 to 16, cultural shows and concerts will be staged at Plaza Independencia. The Sinulog Festival Queen 2018 Parade of Costumes and Runway Competition will happen on January 18, 6:00 PM at SM City Cebu. On January 19, the Traslacion will be held at Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City. Fireworks will light up the sky at January 20, 7:00 PM for the Sinulog Fireworks Competition at SM City Cebu. Finally, the Sinulog Grand Parade will be held on January 21, 8:30 AM.

Ayala Center Cebu will be temporarily closed for clearing and system check operations. This is after fire broke out at the third floor of the Metro Ayala department store last January 5. The fire was put out at around 4:00 PM of January 8. Though the main mall was unaffected by the blaze, all mall operations are suspended until further notice for safety and security purposes. There were no injuries or casualties reported related to the fire.